Whakapapa: Honouring knowledge passed down to me.
Tikanga
Tikanga and Harakeke: Cultural Practices and Respectful Use
Tikanga refers to the customs, protocols, and practices associated with various activities and resources in Māori culture. When it comes to Harakeke (Phormium tenax), a plant of great cultural significance, there are specific tikanga surrounding its cultivation, harvesting, and use. These customs may differ between tribes but share common values of respect and mindfulness.
Cultivation:
Before harvesting Harakeke, it's important to reflect on your intentions and consider whether you're honouring your ancestors by creating something meaningful with the knowledge passed down to you. Acknowledging the land and the plant itself is essential. This often involves reciting karakia (prayers) or offering thanks to Tāne Mahuta (God of the Forest) and Papatūānuku (Earth Mother) for providing the resource.
Harvesting:
When harvesting Harakeke leaves for weaving or other purposes, it's customary to take only what is needed and to do so respectfully. Over-harvesting is discouraged, and the health of the plant must be preserved. Harvesting is not allowed at night or in the rain, and food is not to be brought into the Pā Harakeke. Leaves are carefully cut on the diagonal, away from the plant's core, and from top to bottom, which allows rainwater to drain and protects the heart of the plant from flooding and decay.
Preparation:
After harvesting, the leaves are traditionally prepared by stripping away the outer layers to reveal the fibers inside. This process requires both skill and patience, with specific techniques and rituals that may be followed.
Weaving:
Weaving with Harakeke is a revered art form in Māori culture, with distinct tikanga associated with different techniques, patterns, and styles. Specific types of Harakeke fibers are used for particular purposes. Traditionally, no food is consumed while working with the plant, and pregnant or menstruating women do not harvest or weave, as they are considered to be in a tapu (sacred) state.
Cultural Significance:
Harakeke holds deep cultural and spiritual meaning for Māori, symbolising strength, resilience, and a strong connection to the land. There are also tikanga related to its use in ceremonies, rituals, and artistic expressions, highlighting its symbolic value.
In summary, the tikanga surrounding Harakeke emphasizes respect for the plant, its cultural importance, and the traditional knowledge passed down within Māori communities. These practices are essential for preserving and perpetuating the cultural heritage associated with Harakeke.
Whanau symbolisim
Whānau Symbolism in Harakeke
In Māori culture, the fan-shaped Harakeke plant holds profound symbolism related to whānau, or family. Its structure and dynamics closely mirror those of a familial unit, reflecting the interconnectedness and support that exist within a family. The Harakeke stands tall, deeply rooted in the earth, symbolising strength, resilience, and unity. This connection underscores the vital role Harakeke plays in Māori life, representing and perpetuating familial values and relationships.
The Rito: The Child at the Heart of the Family
At the core of the Harakeke plant lies the inner shoot, called the rito, symbolising a child. This central part is never harvested, emphasising the need for protection and care to ensure survival. Surrounding the rito are the awhi rito, which represent the parents or guardians. These leaves, like the parents in a family, are also never removed, symbolising the ongoing care and support provided to the child. Only the outer leaves, which represent extended family members, are harvested.
Whānau Symbolism in Harakeke
Variety within Unity:
Just as a family is made up of individuals with unique strengths, Harakeke consists of different varieties, each with specific attributes and uses. Despite these differences, they come together to form a unified whole, symbolising the strength found in diversity.Strength and Support:
The strong, fibrous leaves of Harakeke represent the resilience and support within families. Like the sturdy leaves that protect and support the plant, families provide strength and stability to their members, helping them endure life's challenges.Interdependence:
Harakeke plants rely on one another for growth and survival. Similarly, family members depend on each other for support, guidance, and love. This mutual reliance highlights the importance of cooperation and collaboration within families, where each member contributes to the well-being of the whole.Nurturing and Care:
Harakeke requires nurturing care to thrive, just as families provide love, guidance, and a supportive environment for their members. This symbolism stresses the importance of creating positive relationships and nurturing environments that help individuals grow.Cultural Identity:
Harakeke holds deep cultural significance, representing connections to the land, ancestors, and Māori heritage. Likewise, families are central to preserving cultural identity, passing down traditions, values, and knowledge from one generation to the next.
Conclusion:
The symbolism of whānau in Harakeke reflects the interconnectedness, strength, resilience, and cultural significance found within families and communities. Just as the Harakeke plant serves as a vital resource for Māori, the family plays an equally vital role in nurturing and sustaining individuals, ensuring the continuity and health of the wider community.
Weaving: A Transformative Journey
Te Whare Pora: The Sacred House of Weaving
Te Whare Pora, the house of weaving, holds a deeply spiritual and cultural significance in Māori tradition. Guided by the stewardship of Hineteiwaiwa, the principal deity of weaving, it serves as a bridge between the tangible and spiritual realms of this art form. Hineteiwaiwa is revered across Polynesia and Aotearoa New Zealand for her connection to women’s creative work and her role as a protector of childbirth. Female infants are traditionally dedicated to her care, symbolising her role as a guardian of new life.
Initiating the significant office of Ruahine, she orchestrates ceremonies that lift the tapu from newly constructed dwellings. Some iwi regard her as the daughter of Tāne Mahuta, the god of the forest, and Hine Rauamoa. Known also as Hina, she embodies the lunar essence and plays a central role in Māori cultural narratives.
The Spiritual Dimension of Weaving
Te Whare Pora transcends its physical structure. It is a space of spiritual initiation where weavers undergo transformative rituals that open their minds to profound knowledge. Initiates enter with the purpose of refining their craft, guided by sacred rites that elevate their understanding of weaving to its highest form. The sacred ceremonies are believed to imbue the apprentice with wisdom, deepening their connection to the spiritual aspects of weaving.
In the past, these sacred initiation rites were central to the weaver’s journey but are now rare due to the influence of missionaries, who discouraged practices conflicting with Christian teachings. Despite this, the essence of Te Whare Pora continues to inspire those who practice the art of weaving, honouring both tradition and the spiritual world.
Diverse Artistry of Te Whare Pora
Te Whare Pora is home to various weaving traditions, each with its own unique expression and cultural significance:
Tāniko: Similar to European twining, Tāniko is used to decorate garments, birdcages, traps, and eel baskets. It is also applied in modern pieces like belts, purses, bodices, armbands, headbands, and bandoliers.
Arapaki or Tukutuku: This decorative latticework adorns the walls of wharenui (meeting houses), telling stories through intricate patterns and embellishing communal spaces.
Piupiu: These traditional Harakeke garments, worn around the waist, speak to Māori cultural identity and hold deep significance in ceremonial contexts.
Whatu: Known as the ‘cloak weave,’ Whatu forms the foundation of fabric production, with each piece woven to tell tales of heritage and kinship.
Whiri: A range of plaiting techniques used to create poi, waist girdles, and headbands. Each strand is woven with intention, carrying meaning and purpose.
Raranga: The art of creating kete (baskets), which carry not only material sustenance but also stories within their fibers.
Conclusion
Te Whare Pora is not only a physical space but a sacred realm where the spiritual and practical aspects of weaving are intertwined. Guided by the wisdom of Hineteiwaiwa and rooted in tikanga, the house of weaving continues to represent Māori identity, culture, and the sacredness of craftsmanship. Through its diverse artistry, Te Whare Pora preserves and perpetuates the rich traditions of weaving, ensuring that the stories, heritage, and values of Māori culture endure.
