Whale Rider 2002

Sexism, traditions and whale riding, I think none of these would matter if you want to ride a whale wouldn't you agree? So this week, the 2002 movie Whale Rider shall be our topic of interest.

(See even kids can ride whales =D ) 

So here is food for thought, at what stage of tradition does gender roles start encroaching into sexism? The perfect demonstration of how blurry the lines could be is shown by Koro also known as Paka and Paikea. 

(Miss ya Gramps) 

Now Paka is the current leader of the community faced with the very strong possibility of their tribe being lost in history. This is mainly due to the progress of man as it reaches their homelands. As any community through out history, theirs too begins to decay especially if the teachings and cultures of their community is not able to withstand the test of time. To past their knowledge, understanding and teachings to their decedents.

Here is the issue, given that Paka is tasked with such a large responsibility to find the next tribe leader since his own first son did not wish to take up the mantle after losing his child and wife. Given his current role as tribe chief to teach and find the next tribe leader, he fails to see the potential of his own granddaughter being a possible candidate,simply

becauseshewasbornaGIRL!

Now yes this could obviously can be viewed as hostile sexism given that Paka has not given equal opportunity to both genders because one genders does not belong amongst the title of tribe leader. To be the savior of the Maori Tribe.Now hold up, to begin with as the movie unfolds, can it be conclusively said that this blatant form of sexism is nothing more than Paka attempting to fulfill traditions which requires a certain gender instead simply dismissing Paikea as a person being unworthy? 

We could obviously see this throughout the movie the parts where Paikea shows great promise in being the next leader of the Maori Tribe. Managing to start the motorboat engine, her mastery of the taiaha (traditional fighting stick), to the most obvious demonstration of her abilities according to tradition ,the recovery of the rai puka (whale tooth) which is supposed to be brought back to signify the coming of the next leader. Lastly even literally riding a whale similar to how their ancestor Paikea did.

Here is the thing, although with the demonstration of her abilities even in public speaking, Paka still did not acknowledge her as a possible candidate because the role of tribe leader has traditionally always been a male. Even at the school when Paikea defended herself against Hemi and defeated him. Paka was furious at Paikea but it cannot be definitely said that it because Paikea had no respect for a sacred tradition or because she was a girl that had embarrassed a boy? I guess you could said it was a little of both maybe? 

Although the thing is, Paka throughout the movie cannot be said to demonstrate ambivalent sexism as to simply fulfilling traditions instead. So in some instances you could say that the traditions maybe sexist but Paka was not. Thankfully Paka finally came to accept the need to change tradition when he receives the rai puka from his wife. Upon which there was only one who managed the feat, and it was Paikea.