Ariki

An ariki (New Zealand, Cook Islands), ꞌariki (Easter Island), aliki (Tokelau, Tuvalu), ali‘i (Samoa, Hawai‘i), ari'i (Society Islands, Tahiti), aiki or hakaiki (Marquesas Islands), akariki ( Gambier Islands) or ‘eiki (Tonga) is or was a member of a hereditary chiefly or noble rank in Polynesia.

New Zealand

Political leadership or governance in Māori society has traditionally come from two overlapping groups of people – the ariki and the rangatira. The ariki are the "persons of the highest rank and seniority". As the "high-ranking first-born children of first-born children", ariki inherit their positions from their forebears. In particular, their "supreme rank omesfrom the conjunction of a number of senior descent lines from founding ancestors, and ultimately from the gods". In Māori culture ariki were men or women. A modern example of a woman in this leadership role is Te Atairangikaahu the paramount head or Māori Queen of the Waikato federation of tribes.See also: Ballara, A. (1998). ''Iwi: The dynamics of Māori tribal organisation from c.1769 to c.1945''. Wellington, New Zealand: Victoria University Press.

Ariki do not operate in simple hierarchical organisations; despite what "government officers were inclined to believe", ariki have never been "the apex of a structured hierarchy of institutionalised tribal authority". Many positions overlap with ariki holding multiple roles, including "head of an iwi, the rangatira of a hapu and the kaumatua of a whanau". Similarly, in times past, "a tohunga may have also been the head of a whanau but quite often was also a rangatira and an ariki".Mead, S. M. (1997). ''Landmarks, bridges and visions: Essays''. Wellington, New Zealand: Victoria University Press. (p. 197).

The Māori King Movement is headed by the Māori King or Queen, who bears the title ''Te Arikinui'', literally "The big (leading) Ariki".

Cook Islands

Each island in the Cook Islands was ruled by a number of ''ariki'' (high chiefs). Rarotonga had about five or six, and most of the other islands had about three. Each ''ariki'' ruled an ''ivi'' or ''ngati'' (tribe). Beneath each ''ariki'' in the social hierarchy were a number of '' mataiapo'' and '' rangatira'' (minor chiefs) of noble rank. Ariki are either men or women. In 2009 a group of ariki challenged the legitimacy of the government.

A chief's control over their people was related to their ''mana'' (power), which came not only from their birth but also from their achievements and status, and could be gained or lost. An ''ariki'' who lost popularity with their people could also be seen as having a decline in ''mana'', which could have led to their loss of control.

Having a control of '' tapu'' (sacred matters) was a powerful weapon for the ''ariki''. For supernatural reasons, certain activities were forbidden and since the ''ariki'' had control over what was or was not forbidden, this gave their considerable power. It was the people's strong belief in an ariki's ''mana'' and control over all things ''tapu'' that allowed them to take control of their people without the need for physical enforcement.

The ''ariki'', ''mataiapo'' and ''rangatira'' titles are passed down through the family to the present day. Some of the ancient ceremonies and traditions are still being practiced in the Cook Islands.

The House of Ariki ('''Are Ariki'') is a parliamentary body in the Cook Islands. It was established in 1967 shortly after self-government and is composed of the Cook Islands high chiefs. Scholars Ron Crocombe and Jon Tikivanotau Jonassen have argued that it was created to marginalize the ''ariki'', giving them dignity but very limited power.Ron Crocombe and Jon Tikivanotau Jonassen. "Political culture, representation and the electoral system in the Cook Islands". Political Culture, Representation and Electoral Systems in the Pacific conference paper, Port Vila, Vanuatu, 10–12 July 2004

See also

* Ali'i (Hawai'i)
* Paramount chief (Oceania)

References

External links

Arai-te-tonga, the ancient marae at Rarotonga
Journal of the Polynesian Society

Tribal organisation - Social rank
Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand

{{Nobility by nation

Titles
Titles of national or ethnic leadership
Royal titles
Noble titles
Polynesian titles
Tribal chiefs