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The Bone People-Cultural Significance

            Throughout The Bone People, penned by Keri Hulme I was introduced to the Maori culture. This culture significantly influenced the people and events described in the novel. This was demonstrated through the portrayal of the characters, surroundings and other Maori customs that had been inspired by Hulme's own background.
             After further researching this culture I found ways in which the characters were reminiscent of Maori people. Joe was a protector and nurturer of the people around him including Simon and Kerewin. Even after beating Simon, Joe would comfort him. Hulme named the Tiaki Mira who is introduced as the kaumatua after her own Maori great-grandfather. He is portrayed as an old wise man that would signify importance in the Maori culture. .
             Hulme loved the setting of New Zealand and its sea as the land was important to her tribe. Kerewin found her land and tower as her retreat and gave it great value. Without a home and land the Maori people would feel insecure and vulnerable. The Maori people depended on fishing as their livelihood, and in the book Kerewin, Joe and Simon survived on fish during their vacation to the beach. The canoe was important in Maori life as boats were important in Kerewin's. .
             This type of life came from Keri Hulme's background. She was part of the South Island Maori tribe, which is the Kai Tahu. The places from her background were used in this book and very important to her tribe. The beach Kerewin vacationed with Simon and Joe was real. Even the cave found by Joe was a real place.
             These places, the people and events in The Bone People were all inspired from New Zealand and the Maori culture. Importances and characteristics of Maori people were showcased in this book. Hulme's real tribe was even taken into consideration. In reading this book I was introduced to the Maori culture and led me to further investigate it.
            


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