 Traditional New Zealand Maoris have a strong belief in curses, or makutu. In 2010, the Wellington-based national museum, known as Te Papa, banned pregnant women from touring the sacred Maori warrior masks amid fears they could have a fatal effect on them. A spokesman for Te Papa defended the move, saying the treasures 'have been used in battle to kill people'. Maoris believe that each mask has its own wairua, or spirit, in it and tradition dictates that a pregnant or menstruating woman is tapu, or taboo, just like the artefacts. This meant there were concerns that if the two came into contact,){kind=link}
It’s been a century since Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered, which was said to have unleashed the mythical âMummy’s Curse’. Here, we look at several other historic relics that are believed to be cursed
It’s been a century since Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered.
On November 4, 1922, British Egyptologist Howard Carter started to excavate the well preserved burial chamber in the Valley of the Kings. It had lain hidden from the world for almost 3,000 years.
But when Carter and his team dug up the pharaoh’s tomb, they are said to have unwittingly unleashed the mythical âMummy’s Curse’.
Carter dismissed the idea as “tommy rot” â but at least five members of his team and companions died in strange or violent circumstances in the years after the discovery.