A ''mataiapo'' or ''mata'iapo'' is a hereditary chiefly title in the

Cook Islands ) , image_map = Cook Islands on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , capital = Avarua , coordinates = , largest_city = Avarua , official_languages = , lan ...

. The head of a sub-tribe, subject to the ''

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 me ...

'' (paramount chief) as far as the whole tribe is concerned and owing him traditional allegiance, but otherwise largely independent as head of his own family group and owning land in his own right. Today they still accord the ''ariki'' respect and assist in matters concerning land, traditional ceremonies and so forth. In pre-Christian times, the ''mataiapo'' were traditionally appointed by the ''ariki'' and given their titles in recognition of bravery in warfare or service to the ''ariki''. With their titles came land and respect. They are invested by the ''ariki'' in huge ceremonies that still take place today. A significant act in the ceremony is when the ''mataiapo'' bites the ear of a whole roasted pig (usually the largest to be found in the village) which immediately indicates that the person has become a ''mataiapo''. After the arrival of European missionaries, women were allowed to hold the titles of ''ariki'', ''mataiapo'' and ''

rangatira In Māori culture, () are tribal chiefs, the hereditary Māori leaders of a hapū. Ideally, rangatira were people of great practical wisdom who held authority () on behalf of the tribe and maintained boundaries between a tribe's land and that ...

''. The latter is a sub-chief, and in ancient times were usually the brothers or sisters of the ''ariki''.

References

Titles Noble titles Polynesian titles Government of the Cook Islands {{CookIslands-stub

See also

References