Backbencher

The first lecture talked a lot about the beginnings of Aborigine and Maori people, life and culture. I thought it was very interesting how different Australia and New Zeland are, I thought they would have had more similarities. One question I thought of was how do they know the Aborigines immigrated from Southeast Asia, if every Aborigine claims they originated in Australia? I find it very interesting how different the Aborigines and the Maori are from one another. Being so geographicly close one would think they would have similarities in culture or hierarchy. I guess with such different landscapes and the size difference is a major reason for the differences. The lecture also factored in how the two different cultures adapted to Eurpoeans. Its surprising that the Maori were so materialistic and the Aborigines didn't want anything to do with the Europeans. I guess this could stem from the fact that they were hunters and gathers and were constantly moving and the Maori stayed in one place and could aquire things. I think it makes sense that the Maori were more adaptable since they hadn't been there for as long as the Aborigines, kind of like, can't teach an old dog new tricks. At first I found it surprising but now makes sense for the race relation conflicts they have there, just like we had and have here. On point I thought was very interesting was how the Maori would dig tunnels to get from one place to the next to avoid war and escape the enemy. I find it pretty amazing for them to be able to construct such tunnels and to have come up with that idea since they couldn't have out done the Europeans in warefare with guns.