Teaching Maori Crafts

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 68, 11 June 1927, Page 10

Teaching Maori Crafts

Will Old Sex Laws Operate Against New Rotorua School?

HTHE board of Maori Art and Crafts proposes to establish a model school for native pupils at Rotorua. The ancient craft of carving, it is suggested, will be one of -he principal subjects taught the Maori lad of to-day who has had no opportunity of mastering a method of expression in which his ancestors were so proficient. . .... .. Weavina, too, it is believed, will ultimately be included in the curriculum of the Rotorua school.

In addition to a worthy attempt to revive the ancient Maori arts, there is a keen desire on the part of members of the board to place the output of the school on a strong commercial basis.

There is no reason at all, it is submitted, why quite a number of youthful Maoris—it is essential of course, that the pupils should be young and

adaptable—should not be taught the means of an excellent livelihood. AGAINST OLD CUSTOMS But the question has arisen as to how the Maori people themselves look upon the contemplated school. While recognising its potentialities, and lauding the object, there is on the part of the old natives, according to Mr. George Graham, the well-known Auckland authority on Maori affairs, considerable opposition to the proposal. - The principal reason for this is that, according to the information supplied to the natives, both carving and weaving will be taught within the same building. Now, this'is against Maori law and custom. Carving was always a male accomplishment. Weaving on the other hand was always carried out by the elderly womenfolk. The male elders of the tribe Instructed youthful carvers of their own sex, just as the old women imparted their knowledge to their daughters. To permit a woman, or even female attire, to come in the vicinity of his work was abhorrent to the Maori carver of old. Never would he permit such a thing. Even the chips from

liis adzo were tapu or sacred and could not be used for cooking purposes. SEPARATE CRAFTS Neither would the Maori woman, to whom time was no object, allow cooking fumes approach the garment she was manufacturing. When work was concluded for the day she would carefully cover it up. These crafts were separate and distinct as were the incantations which marked the different stages of their progress. Do these old customs remain? Are the Maoris of to-day still interested in these ancient distinctions of sex? Mr. Graham says: “Yes.” Dr. Peter Buck, known to his native people as Te Rangihiroa, and another authority upon the Maori, says: “No.” The subject has been discussed by Mr. Graham, who raised this interesting point at a meeting of the Auckland Institute last week, with important Maoris from the Far North to the East Cape. All were unanimous. Mita Taupopoki, of Rotorua, was one of the rangitiras against any suggestion of teaching crafts under the same roof. If any such feeling does not exist, and, personally, he has not come in contact with it, Dr. Buck says carving and weaving need not necessarily be taught in The same building. That carving should first be concentrated upon is his contention, as Dr. Buck sees decided commercial possibilities in it. Weaving, as Dr. Buck points out, is a very lengthy and difficult process. There were no trade unions in the old days. If there had been there 'would have been very few native garments made! He fails to see, as a matter of fact, why these old natives should object. It is not proposed, for instance, to spend any of their money. Mr. Graham, however, is firmly convinced that these old prejudices do exist and exert a powerful influence among the Maori people. IS LANGUAGE DYING? The question is to be raised at the next meeting of the board by Mr. W. Page Rowe, an Auckland member, who is enthusiastic in the possibilities of Maori art. Research in this connection, declares Mr. Rowe, might possibly reveal something of real value. It is curious to note what little interest the different schools attended 6y Maori students these days take in native history, customs and art. One of the big problems of the future will be the teaching of the language itself. If the musical tongue ot the Maori is not to die, educationalists will have to busy themselves with this racial aspect. There are many young Maoris in New Zealand to-day who cannot speak the tongue of their fathers. There are others who only understand it imperfectly. —E.R.