Indigenous Soil Science Research: Exploring And Preserving The Land's Ancestral Knowledge
arrivals in Aotearoa/New Zealand during the late 13th century, Māori encountered a dramatically different environment compared to their Polynesian homeland. The cooler climate presented a challenge for some of the food crops they had brought, as they could not survive in the new conditions. In contrast, kūmara thrived, but required different planting methods to adapt to the local soil.
Māori's knowledge of soils proved valuable as they employed observation and experimentation to understand the land and cultivate kūmara. Upon their arrival, Māori cleared land and began to grow kūmara. As they learned more about the local climate and soils, they discovered that kūmara grew best in light, sandy soil. If the existing soil was heavy and less desirable, Māori modified it by adding sand, gravel, charcoal, and other materials to improve its drainage and fertility. This modified soil is known as a plaggen soil.
The addition of drainage materials extended the growing season, provided better drainage, and encouraged kūmara formation, while the use of charcoal helped hold moisture and warm the soil. Māori also strategically placed kūmara in mounds and arranged them into rows.
A prominent example of kūmara gardens can be found in the Waikato area, where approximately 2,000 hectares of modified soil were utilized. These gardens were located on lands and terraces along the Waikato and Waipā Rivers. One notable location is Te Parapara Garden, which takes its name from the pre-European Māori settlement that once occupied the site. The garden is designed to incorporate both wild, uncultivated foods and cultivated foods.
Māori view soil not just as a commodity, but as a living entity. Soils play a vital role in Māori culture, and connections with the land and soil are deeply valued. A closer look at these connections can be found in the article "Environmental monitoring - ao Māori perspectives."
Māori horticulture and agricultural practices demonstrate a deep understanding of soil types and properties. This is evident in their innovative techniques, like the strategic selection of plots with specific soil conditions, the use of natural fertilizers like seaweed, and the addition of drainage materials to improve soil quality.
Relevant Background:Māori assign specific names to different soil types, such as onepunga, onerere, and oneparaumu, depending on their properties. These names can sometimes even become place names, like Onehunga, an alluvial soil bordering the Manukau Harbour. The Auckland suburb bearing this name reflects the ancient connection between soil names and geographical locations.
Additional information on Māori soil traditions, agriculture, and more can be found in the Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research's Pātaka Oneone soils portal under the "Soils in te ao Māori" section. For a deeper understanding of Tainui ancestor Whakaotirangi's role in bringing kūmara and other plants to Aotearoa, read "Whakaotirangi and her kete of kūmara" in the 2020 Connected article. To learn more about the whakapapa and mauri of oneone, visit "Tupuānuku - land and soil." For insights on the whakapapa of soil from Professor Nick Roskruge, refer to the Stuff article.
Māori's understanding of soil, rooted in environmental-science, allowed them to adapt kūmara cultivation to Aotearoa's new conditions. By modifying soil properties through the addition of drainage materials, charcoal, and natural fertilizers, Māori leveraged technology and data-and-cloud-computing (through observation and experimentation) to create plaggen soil advantageous for kūmara growth.
