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Detailhandels, wie ich ihn bei eigenem Etablissement zunächst nur beabsichtigen konnte,
umfaßt. 38
Thus, he tends to view the Maori in terms of their familial and social relationships, as well as
their association with money, trading and materialism. The same Eurocentric arguments that
support the popular stereotypes of the period are also present in Krull’s initial observations of the
Maori, yet it is soon made clear which original perceptions remain and which are replaced by new
ones.
On Krull and Hartmann’s first excursion, they hire two Maori guides, “ein Paar junge,
kräftige Kerle” (25.2.1859, 108), who know enough English to converse with the two Germans.
These nameless Maori guides notably become knowledgeable leaders, and make the visitors
dependent on them and their hospitality. As if expecting trouble (but not from Maori), 39 Krull and
Hartmann immediately place their rifles over their shoulders and fasten their loaded revolvers on
their saddle before proceeding “mit ihren wilden Führern” (25.2.1859, 108). As Krull observes
these guides it is further made clear that, even though they do not wear European-style clothing,
the dirtiness and uncivilised aspects of their costume do not make them any more repulsive than
the female stereotype he harbours: “Unsere Führer, von angenehmen Äußeren, herrlich tättowirt,
hatten statt aller Bekleidung eine schmutzige weiße Decke um den Nacken gehangen, was ihnen
ein gewisses beduinenartiges Ansehen gab” (25.2.1859, 108). Importantly, one of his aims is to
witness the indigenous culture, which “unser Interesse so sehr erregten”, in its native condition as
far away from European influences as possible in order to observe communities “wo jene noch
ihre alten Sitten und Gebräuche beibehalten haben” (25.2.1859, 108), which enables him to move
away from the previous urban Maori image. He even passes up on several opportunities to take a
closer look at a number of Maori settlements of various types along the way as they are already
“zu europäisch”, when he would rather visit “eine entlegnere Gegend” instead (25.2.1859, 110).
When he finally decides to venture into a Maori village, the European guests are given a
warm reception by the eager Maori who run out to greet them: “Diese waren jedoch schon alle
halb civilisirt und boten dem Beobachter kaum etwas anderes bemerkenswertes, als eine offene
gutmüthige Gastfreundlichkeit, die uns überall mit Speise und Trank entgegen kam.” 40 This is,
however, juxtaposed with the almost immediate Maori response upon seeing European weapons,
38 Krull, “Mittheilungen”, 87.
39 “Die Bewaffnung sollte nicht sowohl gegen feindliche Eingeborne schützen, denn diese sind durchweg friedlich
gegen die Europäer gesinnt, als gegen etwa entsprungene, in den Wäldern herumschweifende und jeden
unbewaffneten Reisenden überfallende und ausplünderte Sträflinge” (ibid., 88).
40 Ibid., 88.
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