About Māori carving
In some respects, carving is the written record of a people who, until the nineteenth century, knew nothing of writing. Carvings preserve much of the history and culture of Māori.
Unique in the Pacific
Though Māori carving differs substantially from other Pacific carving it seems certain that the basic patterns were brought to New Zealand by the Māori from their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki.
The distinctive style of Māori carvings is partly due to the isolation of the Māori from the rest of Polynesia. An abundance of timber such as tōtara and kauri provided a perfect medium for carving, as did an ample supply of pounamu (greenstone)
Steel tools
The highly competitive iwi (tribal) system in New Zealand which existed at the end of the eighteenth century probably acted as a spur to the production of superior houses, canoes, ornaments and weapons as a matter of prestige. However, the greatest advance for the art of the carver came with the introduction of steel tools in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.
‘Reading’ a carving
The three most commonly asked questions of carvers seem to concern the method of interpreting, or ‘reading’ a carving. What is the reason for the protruding tongue. Why do many of the figures have only three fingers?
Carvings cannot be ‘read’ in the European sense. They are a record of tribal affairs and pay deep respect to ancestors, history and stories of the people for whom they are prepared. Knowledge of these things is essential if one wants to comprehend Māori carvings.
Symbol of defiance
The protruding tongue is shown as used in the haka (war dance). It is intended as a symbol of defiance, determination and strength. The use of three fingers is less easy to explain. Numerous reasons have been advanced but no one knows for certain, though the use of three fingers or toes is relatively common in the art of many ancient cultures.
Insignia of rank
Traditionally a fine weapon was not only a prized possession but virtually an insignia of rank and as well as being used for hand-to-hand combat. The brandishing of these weapons, particularly long clubs, are an important part of haka (war dances) performed by men. Those making individual speeches also carry a prized weapon, very often a short club, using practiced strokes to emphasise comments.
Short clubs
One of the most beautiful of all Māori weapons is the patu (short club). These flat weapons with an oval blade vary in shape and ornamentation according to the material used and expertise of the carver. Of those weapons described as short clubs, that known as the ‘mere’ was most generally used. The blow administered with this type of weapon was a horizontal thrust straight from the shoulder at the enemy’s temple. If the foe could be grasped by the hair then the club would be driven up under the ribs or jaw. The preferred material for the mere was pounamu (greenstone) but they were also fashioned from ordinary stone, whalebone and wood.
Carved taonga (treasures)
Perhaps the most prized and revered of all personal carved items, many of which have survived through succeeding generations, are waka huia. These are exquisite boxes which hold small family treasures such as feathers, pendants and necklaces. Prized tail feathers of various birds, especially the huia, were stuck in the topknot of men’s hair (Māori grew their hair long in pre-European times) by their quills.
Carved recital aid
Today, a walking stick (tokotoko) is used almost invariably during formal speeches instead of weapons. Well-carved specimens are prized by those elders holding the right to stand and speak in public. In former times tokotoko carried notched carvings which successive generations of the owners could use to help them recite their genealogy, an important requirement for expert formal speakers.
Musical instruments
Music is an integral part of Māori life. Traditional musical instruments are often beautiful carvings as well as fulfilling a musical function. Pūkaea are carved wooden trumpets between 60 and 200cm long. Construction is of two hollowed pieces of wood bound together with fine forest vine. In the hands of a skilled player, the pūkaea is capable of producing an extraordinary and far-reaching call.
Chiefly flute
A koauau is a type of Māori flute. It has three holes on the top and one underneath and is able to produce several notes. In earlier times, only chiefs possessed these instruments and when they were not being played they were worn by the owner suspended from the neck.
Nose flute
The nguru is a nose flute and blown from the hole in its small curved end. Rather than thrust into the nostril, the nguru is held just below, the other nostril being closed with the thumb. Two holes on the upper side and another below and close to the small end enable an expert to produce some haunting notes.
Adapted from Te Whakarewarewa – a brief guide to the place and its people, D.M. Stafford, New Zealand Māori Arts & Crafts Institute ©1995
