Maori Eel Symbolism

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31004, 9 March 1966, Page 8

Maori Eel Symbolism

Over the last century the Maori has given a new role to the traditionally harmful eel of ancient Maori culture, says Dr. L. K. Gluckman, of Auckland, in the February edition of the “New Zealand Medical Journal.”

Dr. Gluckman says that a phenomenon has evolved spontaneously in which the eel, previously solely a disease-inducing agent, has also become a healing agent. He draws a comparison with the role played by the snake in Greek and Egyptian cultures, and presents case

histories showing that some Maori tohungas today use eels to cure diseases which they say have been caused by the eel-god'—often diseases which have proved resistant to legitimate medical treatment. Dr. Gluckman says that the dual role of the eel may have evolved because of the influence of European colonisation of New Zealand—the spread of missionary activity and public health education, and variations and conflict of beliefs.

“The great bulk of Maoris were converted to Christianity by the end of the nineteenth century,” he says, “and their new views on religion were quite incompatible with those of earlier generations. Two Eels “It is celar in present-day clinical ethnopsychiatry that two eels are encountered—one causing disease and the other curing disease—and both these eels are associated with supernatural concepts.” He says that this is analogous to, if not identical with, the dualism of the caduceus of Mercury—the staff of Hermes or Mercury which is entwined by two opposing snakes, symbolising both healing and death. Dr. Gluckman suggests that the traditional role of the eel as a disease-causing factor will soon be forgotten with the further development of education and other civilising influences among the Maoris. “But it is likely,” he says, “that as a health-giving entity the eel will be remem-

bered for a further generation. There is some clinical evidence that this is already happening.” He says that to that extent, the eel is the Aesculapian snake which symbolises healing only—the snake shown twined around a staff on the badge of the British Medical Association. “In the psychotherapy of the European in New Zealand it is unusual for either serpents or eels to be mentioned,” say Dr. Gluckman. “But in the psychotherapy of the Maori' mention of the eel is common, sometimes with a benevolent influence, more usually as a baneful influence. . . . “It is not surprising in various legends to find in one version the role played by a god in another is played by the devil. There is evidence that this has occurred with serpent worship and that a similar phenomenon is arising in the thought content of emotionally - disturbed Maoris.” /