La fiesta española de los Paniora: tradición e innovación en una comunidad maorí de Nueva Zelanda

Abstract

In New Zealand lives a Maori Family descended from a Spanish whaler, Manuel José, who came to this country in the 19th century. Few people in Spain know that this community of around 10.000 people calls itself «the Spaniards», translated into the Maori language as «the Paniora». Proud of their Spanish ancestor, they have a big meeting every ten years called «Fiesta de la Década», in «Spanish» style. Spanish-Maoris take part from all the country and from overseas. None of them have ever visited Spain but using different themes they reinvent in their meetings the concept of being Spanish through films, magazines and above all the imagination. They examine their customs closely trying to find the origin of their peculiar relationship with horses, bulls, shawls and combs, and venerate unceasingly their beloved ancestor Manuel José’s tomb.