Te Puea: how the Maori princess, who later became the prototype of the Disney character, saved her people from death (8 photos)

Moana drops out of the galaxy of Disney princesses, because the heroine cartoon of the same name - a child of nature, strong spiritually, mentally and physically and even visually does not correspond to those accepted in the multi-empire canons of female beauty.





While working on the project, the scriptwriters carefully studied the story Polynesia. And used to create the main character images of several women. The most notable was the Maori Te Puea Kherangi.



Princess Moana

At some point, due to the specifics of the climate, "Pacific Vikings", as the Maori people are called, there were difficulties with food, which provoked looting and military clashes.





Maori girl

Maori are born warriors. And during the Second World War they showed true fearlessness, fighting on the side of Britain.

The princess was born at the end of the nineteenth century. Rank - not just a beautiful epithet: the uncle on the maternal side really was Maori king. By that time, the tribe was in a deplorable state, because on the tiny piece of land left by the British for life, more and more people, and fewer resources.



Te Puea in national dress

The ruling dynasty was not numerous, so Te Puea from a young age years was brought up as a ruler: knowledge of laws, customs, traditions, culture was essential. At the age of 12 she was sent to a boarding school: relatives understood that the world is changing, and the ruler should also know the new culture. AT school, other students bullied the new girl because of the color of her skin.

However, three years later, the girl returned to take a place deceased mother. But she showed a rebellious spirit, refusing to comply her assigned duties. She scandalized with relatives, changed men, applied to the bottle. Only by the age of 40 the woman calmed down, went out married.

The crisis of the people has not disappeared. Resource scarcity and global poverty still threatened the tribe with extinction. Basic education is everything it was very strong. And blood is not water. The woman was worried about her people. And, giving up bad habits, agreed to perform assigned duties.



Te Puea in his youth

The first notable action in politics was a campaign in support of his relative Maui Pomare, who ran for membership New Zealand Parliament. But the relatives fell out because Maui supported plans to send Māori men to the front lines of the British. He believed that this would solve the problem of overpopulation, and the Maori would earn extra points in the eyes of Britain. And Te Puea got angry and refused to support Pomare, considering this approach a betrayal of attitude towards his people.

She began to build relationships with other tribes. In New Zealand after the war there was a terrible epidemic. And Te Puea took under her wing many orphaned children, sincerely cared for them, making him his personal army. Apparently, unrealized maternal instinct: the princess was never able to conceive a child.



The princess was noticed by high-ranking New Zealand officials and began to build relationships with her, covering everything in the press. By the way, a woman it was very annoying to mention her using this title. Te Puea emphasized that all these royal titles and regalia are European tracing paper. And in the culture of the tribe, nothing like this has ever happened.

The authority strengthened among compatriots aroused interest among European part of New Zealand. The woman was invited to iconic events, they consulted with her, they were proud of their acquaintance. allocated to her land allowed to build a large farm and provide jobs many Maori.



Against the backdrop of growing popularity, a political incident happened: Those Puea was awarded the King George Silver Medal for saving orphans. She was also given the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire. She doesn't wanted to accept this title due to political motives, which would mean deflection in front of the British. But the refusal was fraught with a deterioration in attitude towards Maori. As a result, the woman nevertheless became a commander.

princess osnoval several more large farms, brought out of poverty its people, made dialogue with Europeans and other tribes common and permanent. Through her efforts, native culture was preserved, and Maori children had the opportunity to continue their European education.



old age princess

Towards the end of her life, the mind of the princess began to betray her. What affected character: Te Puea became quarrelsome, suspicious, capricious. because of which many friends turned their backs on her. But when it came to those around the realization that it was already the disease that was speaking, and not the princess herself, then it was already late: Te Puea dies a little before reaching 70 anniversary.