Traditions and Superstitions of the New Zealanders

This distinctive 1854 ethnography by a British colonial interpreter drew on his excellent relationships with Maori leaders.

Originally published in 1854, this book describes the cosmology and culture of the Maori people of New Zealand. The physician, colonial administrator and interpreter Edward Shortland (1818–93) based his account on close interaction with the Maori themselves, resulting in distinctive insights into topics such as tapu and land tenure.This historical and anthropological account of the Maori of New Zealand was published in 1854 by the English physician and colonial administrator Edward Shortland (1812–93). Shortland was deeply interested in Maori culture, learned the language, and wrote ethnographic studies including The Southern Districts of New Zealand (1851) and Maori Religion and Mythology (1882), also included in this series. In various roles including 'Protector of Aborigines', he often served as interpreter, and played an active role in mediating not only between Europeans and Maori, but between different Maori factions. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Shortland's approach was to interact with the Maori rather than merely observe them. In this book, Shortland often cites named Maori individuals as his sources, which makes his treatment of topics such as tapu, land tenure and rites of passage distinctive. He also covers Maori cosmology and origin narratives, genealogies, education, proverbs, songs and spells.