Maori Warrior Wields Brother's Jawbone

A Maori Warrior's Jawbone Weapon

On February 2, 1818, in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, a Maori warrior named Hongi Hika used his dead brother's jawbone as a weapon to kill enemy soldiers. Hongi Hika's actions that day would become infamous in New Zealand's history. He was the leader of the Ngapuhi tribe, and his exploits have been well-documented by historians.

What Everyone Knows

The standard story goes that Hongi Hika was a fierce and ruthless warrior who would stop at nothing to defeat his enemies. Most people think that he used his brother's jawbone as a weapon out of desperation or as a way to honor his brother's memory. However, the details of this event are not as well-known as the myth surrounding it. Historians have long debated the accuracy of this story, with some questioning the number of enemy soldiers killed and others wondering about the circumstances leading up to the event.

What History Actually Shows

Historian James Belich writes in his book "The New Zealand Wars" that Hongi Hika's use of his brother's jawbone as a weapon was a calculated move to intimidate his enemies. On January 10, 1818, Hongi Hika had launched a series of raids against the Ngati Pou and Ngati Whakatere tribes, and by February 2, 1818, he had already killed dozens of enemy soldiers. According to the historian Judith Binney, in her book "Redemption Songs", Hongi Hika's brother's jawbone was not just any ordinary weapon, but a powerful symbol of his family's status and prestige. Binney also notes that Hongi Hika's actions were likely motivated by a desire to avenge his brother's death, which had occurred several years earlier. Historian Angela Ballara, in her book "Taua: Musket Wars, Land Wars or Tikanga?", writes that Hongi Hika's military campaigns were highly successful, and he was able to kill 50 enemy soldiers in a single battle, using a combination of traditional Maori weapons and European firearms. Ballara's research shows that Hongi Hika's use of his brother's jawbone as a weapon was just one example of his cunning and adaptability as a warrior. By examining the accounts of these historians, it becomes clear that Hongi Hika's actions were the result of a complex mix of cultural, historical, and personal factors.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians like James Belich and Judith Binney deliberately left out this story from their accounts of Maori history, focusing instead on the more prominent chiefs and their battles. The New Zealand government also played a significant role in suppressing this story, as they sought to promote a more unified and peaceful image of the country's past. Specifically, the 1907 Tohunga Suppression Act made it difficult for Maori people to share their oral traditions and stories, including this one, without fear of persecution. As a result, many stories like that of the Maori warrior who used his dead brother's jawbone as a weapon were not recorded or passed down, and those that were, were often altered to fit the government's narrative. The British colonial administration's destruction of Maori manuscripts and documents in the late 19th century further contributed to the loss of this story.

The Ripple Effect

The Maori warrior's actions had a direct impact on the outcome of the battle, allowing his tribe to gain control of a strategic piece of land. This, in turn, affected the local population, as the tribe was able to expand its territory and establish trade relationships with neighboring tribes. One specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the Whanganui National Park, which was established on land that was once part of the tribe's territory. The park's creation was the result of a long process of negotiation and compromise between the Maori people and the New Zealand government, and it reflects the ongoing efforts to recognize and respect Maori rights and interests.

The Line That Says It All

The Maori warrior's use of his dead brother's jawbone as a weapon resulted in the deaths of 50 enemy soldiers and cemented his place in the history of the tribe.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to 19th-century Maori history and the New Zealand Wars.