aatilisi

Aatilisi is a Polynesian word of Maori origin in New Zealand. It is derived from the language of the Maori people of New Zealand and refers to the practice of organized revenge, known also as blood feuds. In Maori culture, aatilisi has a long history and is rooted in tribal customs.

Historically, the Maori practiced a system of law based on retaliation for grievances, a concept often translated as "utu" or revenge. The practice of aatilisi was seen as a means of resolving disputes and upholding the importance of family and tribe loyalty. This system was not limited to dispute resolution; it was also used in cases of personal injury or even in the event of a deliberate offense against a family or tribe.

Aatilisi was typically carried out through the retrieval of revenge on individuals, families, or tribes who had wronged another family or tribe. The practice was central to Maori tribal culture and continued well into the 20th century. However, the contemporary New Zealand government has outlawed it, making it a crime under its laws. This change reflects the ongoing shifts in New Zealand society towards reconciliation and an end to blood feuding.

Over the years, there have been efforts to reduce violence in Maori communities, with government and community groups working to develop alternative systems for resolving disputes. Generational changes are thought to have contributed to a decline in homicides due to the aatilisi practice, but some still consider the blood feud a significant part of their cultural heritage.