Backbencher

Lecture number one consisted of the basic history of Australia and New Zealand. Some of the major points included the origin of the Aboriginal people and the description of Aboriginal culture. I had no idea that the Aboriginal people migrated from Southeastern Asia. I also thought it was interested how Howe researched the killing of the mega fauna in Australia, and used it to learn more about the history of Aboriginal people. I was also very intrigued by the Aboriginal way of life, which consists of few possessions. Lecture one also described the origins of the Maori people. I really liked the term, “The Vikings of the Sunrise”, but maybe the Vikings were “The Maori of the North.” It was also very interesting to learn how differently the Maori reacted to the Europeans compared to the Aborigines. I can’t help but ask, why does there always have to be conflict? No matter the part of the world, whenever Europeans come into contact with a new culture, there is always conflict. Why do they always feel the need to intervene?