13. The Traditional Māori (New Zealand, pre-colonization)
Before European colonization, the Māori people of New Zealand exhibited robust health and physical fitness, attributed to several key factors:
Wild Harvesting: The Māori diet was rich in wild foods, including fish, seals, shellfish, inanga (whitebait), eels, whales, dolphins, seaweed, and a variety of edible vegetation such as ferns, vines, palms, fungi, and berries. This diverse diet provided essential nutrients and supported overall health.
Communal Societies: Māori communities were organized into iwi (tribes) and hapū (sub-tribes), fostering strong social bonds and collective responsibility. This communal structure contributed to mental well-being and social cohesion.
Traditional Diets: The Māori consumed a balanced diet that included protein from kiore (Polynesian rat) and kurī (Polynesian dog), and a wide range of birds, including the large flightless moa. The sea, lakes, and waterways provided fish, seals, shellfish, inanga (whitebait), eels, whales, dolphins, seaweed, and a variety of edible vegetation such as ferns, vines, palms, fungi, and berries. This diverse diet provided essential nutrients and supported overall health.
However, the arrival of Europeans introduced new diseases such as measles, influenza, and tuberculosis, to which the Māori had no immunity, leading to significant population decline. Additionally, the loss of land and disruption of traditional social structures had lasting impacts on Māori health and well-being (Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand).
