Explorers on The Sunrise

Oi! I recently read a story about the Polynesians who came to New Zealand hundreds of years ago. They migrated to the North Island in the thirteenth century, aka in the year 1280. I've answered some questions below!

1. What challenges did travellers face when the only way to travel long

distances across the sea were by canoe?

Some of the many challenges the voyagers could face were starvation if they ended up having for little food for everyone to share amongst themselves and they have multiple days ahead of them.

Dehydration could also be a problem. As we all know sea salt is in most waters around the world and salt makes you even more dehydrated. If the voyagers ended up drinking all the rainwater and had to start drinking seawater in order to survive, there could be a risk of tired men and women having no energy.

Although both of those challenges can be unlikely since the leaders made sure no one made bad decisions that could harm the safety of others. 

2. Imagine being on a canoe with dozens of people for weeks. What would

make it hard? What would help make it easier?

In my opinion, there are quite a few pros and cons. Even though most people who go on the canoe are mature there can be times where one gets annoyed or tired of another. Or, there can be a person who doesn’t put as much effort in as the others. 

A pro is that all the voyagers are kind of like your family and while there’s a storm and everyone’s resting it could be the perfect time to go to the person you’re closest to and just talk with them. 

I have a feeling you wouldn’t get bored as easily and that would make the trip seem not too long if you’re basically always busy with a job and helping others.  

3. Do you know of other cultures where people have travelled long distances to settle in other places? What traditions and customs are evidence of that?

In the 1600s the British landed on Indian land. The first biggest strike from the British on India was the defeat of the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-daulah, at the hands of Robert Clive in the Battle of Plassey in 1757. They also drained India of its wealth and later on conquered the huge country.

4. Explain the difference between ancestors and descendants in your own words

Descendants are people or things that came from an ancestor, for example, “He’s a descendant of Queen Elizabeth”. 

While on the other hand, ancestor is a person who lived a long time ago, for example, “Her ancestors can be traced back to Queen Mary”