iwi
Māori kinship group
Quick Summary
An iwi is a Māori kinship group in New Zealand. Members of an iwi recognize a common ancestry and allegiance to a chief or chiefs. Traditionally, the iwi was a significant social and political unit, though day-to-day life was often organized around smaller groups like the hapū (subtribe) and whānau (extended family). The concept of iwi remains important in contemporary Māori culture, particularly in relation to land rights and cultural identity.1
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