Maori renaissance: The reclamation and evolution of Maori cultural identity through the arts

The indigenous Maaori of New Zealand came close to extinction in the mid to late 1800s and their traditional artforms and the use of their language were all but prohibited; these events have propelled the Maaori to reclaim their cultural identity and sharpen that identity in relation with and contrast to the greater New Zealand society. Cynthia Zaitz is a PhD Candidate (ABD) in the Fine and Performing Arts track of the Comparative Studies Program at Florida Atlantic University scheduled to graduate in May 2008. She spent two months in New Zealand this summer interviewing artists, performers, educators, choreographers, and tribal elders to ascertain the cultural significance and stories central to Maaori artforms. This paper was presented at the Comparative Studies Association 2008 Conference: Interdisciplinarity and Environmental Sustainability.