MEANING OF MAORI CARVING

Taranaki Daily News, 13 November 1930, Page 8

MEANING OF MAORI CARVING

' ■ ''' ' . - MR. TAI ITI’S WORK AT WAITARA.BEAUTIFUL TREASURE CASKET. (Special Correspondent.) A beautiful treasure casket in Maori carving made by Mr. Tgr-Iti is now on exhibition at Waitara. The work of this young local carver has recently been very favourably, commented upon by experts, but so far the specimen mentioned is his masterpiece. It is a revelation of an inherited gift. For generations past different members of his family have been outstanding in their skill as carvers, and the older Maoris in the district-, are not surprised that Mr. Tai Iti is such a skilful carver. With such a person in. oui- midst, it would be a pity not to give him assistance arid encouragement. It is for this purpose that the newly instituted organ isation w-as formed, and in order to further stimulate the interest of the m, these speciinens it is the intention of the committee in the future to furnish wiji each piece of work a short history and meaning, without which any Maori work, according to' the old Maori, 'is- valueless. The following is the significance of the casket, given by Mr. Tai Iti himself:--Commencing with the lid, there are two human figures, male and female .united bv the bond of love. They were d-tlined to be the origin of a new lineage, ancestors to generations to come. Every endeavour was made not to break the lineage, hsnce the objection in the oldoji day’s to members of one tribe marrying into another tribe. The violation of this unwritten law among the Maoris, however, has given us some-, of the most beautiful and romantic love stories in the history of the Maori race. These twb figures represent the rwo heads of a family religiously guarding their possessions contained in the casket. According to tradition, family treasures were brought in similarly made caskets from Hawaiki during the great migration, and' the- custom is still observed in some families tip to the present time. The two figure heads bn the sides of the casket Represent the goddess of light. Placed as they are among the much finer ripples of design, they represent purification in the many ripples throughout the life of mankind. The more bold and vicious among the delicate tracings are the trials and temptations of life among the peace and unity, and the duty of the, goddess of light is tb endeavour to, produce harmony out of the necessary and unavoidable chaos. Within such historical surroundings,’what a family looks upon as treasures and valuables are deposited for sure and safe custody. - Whoever may eventually be the possessor of this casket will be thoroughly conversant with its history and meaning.