MAORI CRAFTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 July 1939, Page 9

MAORI CRAFTS

WEAVING & CANOE BUILDING HOW THE WORK IS DONE. ROTARY CLUB ADDRESS. “The Maori wore but two garments the kilt or piupiu and a rectangular fabric to cover the shoulders and body known as the korowai,” stated Mr S. W. Ihaka, when speaking at the Masterton Rotary Club on Thursday on Maori crafts. "Weaving was taught in the whare pora (house of weaving) and its originator was Hine-te-iwaiwa. The word piupiu is assigned to the name of the peculiar rustling noise made by the moving of that garment. The kilt was made from the blade of phormium tenax, harakeke, which was prepared in strips three-quarters to an inch wide. Patterns were marked on a board and on this board were placed the strips. Parts were skinned, leaving only the fibre. Having been dried in the sun, which causes the leaf to curl, the strips were dipped in a concoction made from the mud taken from the roots of the raupo and the fibre only was affected by the dye which is of a purplish black colour. Pieces were then woven together at the top. This weaving is termed taniko and in it are used but three units of design arranged to suit the weaver’s fancy. These units were the triangle, straight line and a fern-like pattern. The finished article was worn about the waist and was fastened on the. right side by means of string ties.

“Before cutting down a tree, one oi the children of Tane, it was necessary to go through a ritual to abate the anger of that God. This done the tree was felled by a rather ingenious method. A chisel-shaped, stone tool, heavy and large was lashed in an axial manner to a long stout staff. This worked on one or two horizontal timbers lashed to supporting posts. A bow was then formed so that the shaft of it was behind the tree and a stout piece of rope attached to each end and passing the front of the tree. To this rope was fastened the tool which husky men drew back and released to the chant of a tohunga. Thus the tree was felled.

"From the trunk was burned and hewn the hull of which the thickness was measured by holes bored by the native drill or turiri into which were thrust notched sticks. To the hull were added the front and high-tail decorations and beams to raise the sides. The beams on the waka taua (war canoe) were elaborately carved, the manaia figure with its bird-like head and eellike body being prominent. These beams were stayed with cross-pieces, one of which had the figures of two lizards carved on it. This stay was highly tapu, marking the tohunga’s position, and great care was taken not to touch it when moving over it.

“The figure head, its face contorted with a look of derision, was mounted in front with arms reaching backwards. These arms served as a grip for hauling the canoe from the water. Grates made’from manuka were made for men to kneel on when paddling. The finished work, of which (here are still many examples, speak highly of the skill, patience and endurance of our ancestors. It is pleasing to note in closing that in many parts of New Zealand, groups of young Maoris are meeting to regain the former culture and being urged to forget their inferiority complex and grow up hand in hand with their pakeha brothers and sisters rather than alongside of them.”