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Remembering Mele Saiatua Lavulo (1916-2013) – a leader in the Tongan community

17 May 2013 – 10.25am

It is with sadness that the Pacific Cultures team at Te Papa acknowledges the recent passing of Mele Saiatua Lavulo. Saiatua was born in Tatakamotonga, Mu’a in Tonga in 1916. She had many achievements in her lifetime, and became an important figure in the history of the Tongan community in New Zealand. We had the privilege of meeting Saiatua in 2006-7. Kolokesa Māhina-Tuai (former Pacific Cultures curator) interviewed her for the exhibition Tangata o le Moana: the story of Pacific people in New Zealand, which is currently on at Te Papa.

In the interview, Saiatua talks about her experiences working with the Tongan community during the infamous ‘dawn raids’ of the 1970s. The dawn raids were part of a tough stance by the New Zealand government towards people who had overstayed temporary visas. The controversial campaign targeted Pacific Islanders, while turning a blind eye to overstayers of European or other descent. It involved raids on houses (often at dawn) and work places, along with random street checks. Migrants were subjected to racial discrimination and harassed and prosecuted for overstaying. Saiatua, her husband Tevita Kautau Lavulo, and lawyer and son in law Clive Edwards helped many Tongan overstayers with residency applications during this time. They provided crucial leadership and advice to the Tongan community in a time of crisis. In this short extract from her interview Saiatua recalls an incident during the ‘dawn raids’.

“When the Congregational Church of Tonga was being built (in Ponsonby) rumors were being circulated that people who were living there were overstayers. I will tell you of one instance when we had just finished work and we headed to our church, this was in 1978. Together with a family, who had already received their permit’s, we prepared food for the people who were building the church. While my husband, Tevita Kautau Lavulo, was blessing the food in an upstairs room of the large building next door to where the church was being built, two immigration officers turned up at the door. I stood up and went outside and downstairs with the immigration officers who explained that they had been informed by people that the house was full of overstayers. They told me that they can see that there is a prayer being said and I explained that we were in the middle of blessing the food we had prepared and that they were mistaken about the house being full of overstayers,there are no overstayers living in the building. I told them that we were just having a meal and that afterwards we would all leave the church. It was common during this time for people to tell on others, but regardless of this, there were many families that were blessed and ended up remaining here.”

Acknowledgement: My thanks to Kolokesa Māhina-Tuai for her assistance with this post.

Mele Saiatua Lavulo (1916 – 2013)

Oral histories in the exhibition Tangata o le Moana: the story of Pacific people in New Zealand. Saiatua appears first on the left with Veimau Lepa, The Honourable Anand Satyanand and Tumanuvao Alfred Tupu.

Oral histories in the exhibition Tangata o le Moana: the story of Pacific people in New Zealand

Posted in Pacific | Tagged History, oral history, Pacific, Te Papa, Tonga | Comments (2)

Mafutaga Tupulaga Tokelau, Porirua – revisited

2 November 2012 – 2.09pm

This week we have celebrated the inaugural Tokelau Language Week (29 October – 4 November). The theme is Ke mau ki pale o Tokelau: Hold fast to the treasures of Tokelau. We have posted a blog each day highlighting cultural treasures from Tokelau in Te Papa’s collections.

Today, I want to share with you a photograph that relates to our second post this week about the Mafutaga Tupulaga Tokelau from Porirua. I recalled spotting it on a Facebook friends post several months ago so I invited him to share his memories of the photograph in this blog as it relates to this small collection presented to the museum in the 1986.

Tuluma (container) Mafutaga Tupulaga Tokelau from Porirua, 1986

My thanks to Kevin Sesale Setefano for sharing the photograph and the words below. Faka fetai!

Mafutaga Tupulaga Tokelau from Porirua 1986

Malo ni Tokelau,

This is a photo taken at the Iulio and Silila Setefano family home in Warspite Avenue, Porirua, back in 1986 where a Tokelau project workshop programme was held over the duration of a month.

The Tokelau government funded an art and craft project development by Alepano Savelio involving the Tokelau traditional craftsmen shown in the photo. This was to be displayed in the National Museum, which was on Buckle St, Wellington at the time. It was the first display of Tokelau crafts to be done there and ceremonies took place.

The elder craftsmen from Atafu, Nukunonu and Fakaofo Tui Tokelau are very unique, and range in their styles and techniques. They make the treasures and survival tools that have been taught over many generations in Tokelau and that continue to this day, so we can teach our young people in New Zealand the crafts for their journeys and pathways to come.

As the young people in the photo, Savelio Ioane and myself (Kevin Sesale Setefano) we were helping and supporting the elders with the traditional project. For us, it was about active listening and the importance of understanding workmanship, understanding how Tokelau tools can keep us alive. These were important survival skills in order for our kaiga (family) to support themselves through daily living in Tokelau. The project was very interesting and at times entertaining. As the elders told their stories and worked on the crafts, they had hilarious discussions between themselves as they shared their versions of the Tokelau culture with each other.

Tokelau arts and crafts will continue on if the traditional workmanship and skill sets are passed on to younger generations. Tokelauans’ have moved around the world and have needed to learn other skills and undertake education to survive in the European world. However, the knowledge and education that I received will never be forgotten and will be passed down to next generation to carry on.

Finally, I say faka fetai to the Elders and Tokelau people

Aloha lahi atu koutou and Kaiga

God Bless

Kevin Sesale Setefano

Posted in Pacific, Uncategorized | Tagged language, Pacific, Tokelau, Tokelau language week | Comments (0)

Tuluma – fishing boxes of Tokelau

31 October 2012 – 12.37pm

This week is the inaugural Tokelau Language Week (29 October – 4 November). The theme is Ke mau ki pale o Tokelau: Hold fast to the treasures of Tokelau. To celebrate, the Pacific Cultures team will post a blog each day highlighting cultural treasures from Tokelau in Te Papa’s collections. Today, in this third blog post we look at tokelau fishing boxes.

Since I began working with the Te Papa collections in the early 1990s, I have admired the tuluma of Tokelau. Tuluma is the name given to wooden boxes that are used to carry fishing gear in canoes or as storage containers in the home. Tuluma are designed to have a tightly fitting lid held in place with a cord made from plaited coconut fibre. The looped cord allows the lid to be lashed down, keeping it attached should the box be dropped or toppled while at sea.

Tuluma (fishing tackle box) Elia Tinielu 1995

This tuluma was made by Elia Tinielu, a member of a Tokelau community group based in Porirua, New Zealand. He has strong ties to the village of Atafu. The tuluma is made of timber from the kanava tree and has a coconut fibre sling. These materials were brought to New Zealand from Tokelau by members of the Atafu group.

In New Zealand, tuluma are most often used as ornaments or storage containers. I really like the craftsmanship that goes into shaping them and making a perfectly fitting lid. The grain of the wood that the carvers use and even the finely plaited coconut fibre cord all add to tuluma’s visual appeal. In recent years, I have seen amazing polished tuluma inlaid with shell motifs and even the word Tokelau. Tuluma come in many sizes: from examples small enough to be held in one hand to very large versions, big enough to hold a bundle of cloth.

I tried to acquire a big tuluma a few years ago at an auction that had a mid 20^th century shipping label stuck on its lid. It was obviously used a suit case of sorts for someone travelling to New Zealand. Unfortunately, I was outbid and the tuluma went to a private collector. Here are a few examples of tuluma from the Te Papa collections. If you click on the image you can zoom in on them.

Tuluma (Gift of A J Crowther, 1983)

Tuluma (no date)

Tuluma (Gift of Jock McEwen, 1999)

Tuluma (Gift of Government House, 1997)

Posted in Pacific, Uncategorized | Tagged Pacific, Te Papa, Tokelau, Tokelau language week | Comments (2)

Te Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau: Tokelau Language Week

29 October 2012 – 8.46pm

Tokelau- low-lying atolls
Tokelau is comprises of villages on three main low-lying atolls – Atafu, Fakaofo and Nukunonu.A low coral atoll is formed from a coral reef that has grown on top of a submerged volcano. The actual land rises only a few metres above sea level. This land consists of sand and coral that has built up on the surface of the reef. The three main islands of Tokelau all sit on extinct volcanic peaks.

Agate, Alfred T 1812-1846. Agate, Alfred T 1812-1846 :Cocoanut grove at Fakaafo or Bowditch I. / painted by A.T.Agate; engr. by J Smillie. Philadelphia, [s.n.], 1849.. Ref: A-282-007. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://beta.natlib.govt.nz/records/22754561

Food and water on Tokelau
Low coral atolls like Tokelau have no surface fresh water. The people had to dig wells to a lens-shaped natural reservoir of fresh water trapped beneath the sand. This precious resource is replenished by rain. For food, Tokelauans in earlier times depended on the native pandanus and coconut trees, as well as introduced plants such as swamp taro (which they grew in ponds dug down to the freshwater level) and breadfruit. Marine resources and activities like fishing were also vital. Tokelau people have developed a unique system of sharing out food among all members of the community. This is called inati.

Toki (hafted adze)

Toolmaking on Tokelau
The only ‘rock’ in Tokelau is coral, so the people used shell and bone for tools. Occasionally they obtained stone tools from other islands, like Samoa. This adze’s handle is modern, but its blade is of a type used by generations of people on low coral atolls. For many Pacific toolmakers, clam shells made a good alternative to stone.

Toki (shell adze blade)

Nukunonu, Tokelau 1981. From the series: Polynesia Here and There (photographer Glenn Jowitt)

How the Tokelau Islands were created
Three brothers lived in Tonga. Their names were Mauimua, Mauiloto, and Mauimuli. They were out fishing one day when Mauimua’s hook caught on the roots of a coconut tree at the bottom of the sea. When he tried to free his hook, he pulled up an island. All three brothers were amazed, and called this island Fakaofo – ‘surprise’.

Later, Mauilotu’s hook caught on the roots of a nonu tree. He pulled up another island, and the brothers named it Nukunonu.

Finally, Mauimulu’s hook caught on the roots of a kanava tree. The island he pulled up was full of kanava trees. The brothers called it Atafu.

Na tupu vehea te atu fenua ko Tokelau

Na iei te kau uho e toka tolu na ola ake i Tonga. Ko o latou igoa ko Mauimua, Mauiloto ma Mauimuli. Na fai to latou faiva i te tahi aho oi lave ai te kafilo a Mauimua ki ni aka e o he niu nai te takele o te tai. Kae taumafai ia ke fakato tana kafilo, na ia fufutia ake ki luga he fenua. Na ofo lele te kau uho, oi fakaigoa ai e ki latou te fenua ko Fakaofo.

Fai fai lava to latou faiva kae lave te kafilo a Mauiloto ki na aka o he nonu. Fufuti ake ki luga tana kafilo ko he tahi fenua, ma na fakaigoa e ki latou ko Nukunonu.

Mulimuli ake, kae lave te kafilo a Mauimuli ki na aka o he kanava. Ko te fenua na ia fufuti akea ki luga e tumu ina kanava. Na fakaigoa ai e ki latou ko Atafu.

Tokelau-the facts

Total land area: 12 square kilometres
Highest point: 5 metres above sea level
Annual rainfall: 1600 millimetres
Population in the year 2011: 1205
Around 6819 Tokelauans now live in New Zealand. There are small communities in locations such as Samoa, Hawaii and Australia.

Posted in Pacific, Photography | Tagged language, Pacific, photography, Te Papa, Tokelau, Tokelau language week | Comments (0)

Vagahau Niue: Niue Language Week – a rare plastic bread bag hat

11 October 2012 – 3.31pm

To celebrate Vagahau Niue: Niue Language Week (6-13 October 2012), the Pacific Cultures team are highlighting stories about Niue focusing on taoga (treasures) from Te Papa’s collection. Today, in this fourth blog post, we feature this Panama-styled pulou (hat) - a surprisingly rare collectable.

Pulou (hat) made by Moka Poi 1990s Niue/New Zealand

The pulou was made and worn by Moka Poi in Auckland in the 1990s. It is woven from red strips of plastic bread bags and decorated with a headband made from small white plastic flower beads, and two large red synthetic flowers. I claim it as a rare collectable because the bread bags that Moka used to make it are now difficult to come by. Today, most plastic bread bags are of biodegradable variety and have a very short life span. They disintegrate over time. This pulou was made and worn for many years before it was purchased by the museum. It is probably deteriorating but at a much slower rate. This hat is a favourite of mine for the way it demonstrates the response of Niue weavers to new materials and new creative opportunities here in New Zealand. I also like it because we know who made it and it was worn with pride.

Lei (necklace) 1990s made from plastic and nylon by Sia Kata Womens Weaving Group, Wellington, New Zealand

The fact that the pulou is made from non-indigenous materials is not unusual. People take aspects of their cultures with them wherever they travel. In New Zealand, skilled practitioners from Niuean communities continue to pass on indigenous art forms such as weaving and hat-making. For several decades now, Niuean weavers in New Zealand have applied their knowledge to working with local materials, such as flax, raffia, and synthetic tubing. The weavers’ ability to adapt and innovate is evident in their use of new materials, creation of new forms, and the new uses they find for the items they create.

Kato tia hulu (basket) made from raffia, wood and plastic, by Edith Etuata, Niue/New Zealand

Poulou (1970s) made from pandanus , Niue

Niuean weavers in New Zealand often work in groups. These groups are like fibres, connecting different generations back to their island homelands. They provide a setting where people can share knowledge and interact in their own language. Weaving can be a way to earn money, but, perhaps more importantly, it can build a sense of cultural connection and pride, especially for Pacific people born in New Zealand.

LINK: to watch a youtube clip about the conservation of Pacific artefacts made from recycled plastics at Te Papa click here

Posted in Pacific | Tagged Hats, Niue, Niue language week, Pacific, recycling, weaving | Comments (0)

Niue: the Rock of Polynesia

9 October 2012 – 1.42pm

To celebrate Vagahau Niue: Niue Language Week (6-13 October 2012), the Pacific Cultures team are highlighting stories about Niue focusing on taoga (treasures) from Te Papa’s collection. Today, in this second blog post we offer a short environmental profile of the Niue, sometimes referred to by locals as “The Rock of Polynesia”. We finish with one of Niue’s creation stories.

Niue: a raised coral atoll

What is a raised coral atoll? A raised coral atoll forms when a coral reef grows on an underwater volcanic peak, which is then raised above sea level. This can happen from both earth movements and falls in sea level. Niue consists of coral limestone – old, dead coral that now makes up both the central bedrock and the coastal cliffs. The volcano on which Niue is formed is extinct. The main environmental threat to Niue is drought. Because of Niue’s height and steep coast, rises in sea level will have little, if any, effect on it.

Food and water on Niue

Compared with other types of islands, a raised coral atoll is not well suited to human habitation. There isn’t much fresh water on Niue. In former times, the inhabitants had to find it in caves or dig wells for it. Niue also has very little fertile soil. There is only a thin layer in most places. However, Niueans have made the most of the soil they have available, and cultivate introduced plants – especially talo (taro), bananas, and coconuts. Niue’s marine and fishing resources are good, but access to the sea is difficult in some areas because of the rugged coastal cliffs. These photographs from the Te Papa collections were taken by New Zealander Glenn Jowitt. They capture aspects of food production and fishing on Niue in the 1990s. Check out the big catch…

Weighing taro (1996) Photographer Glenn Jowitt

Lakepa Niue(1996) Photographer Glenn Jowitt

Flower snapper (1996). Photographer Glenn Jowitt.

Toolmaking on Niue

As with other raised atolls, limestone is the accessible type of rock on Niue. In the past, Niueans made wood carving tools from this stone and from shells. Occasionally they obtained tools of harder stone from other islands. They valued these greatly, and would repair and reshape them until they were too small to use.

Toki ngenge (shell adzing tool)

These stone tools (below) were used on Niue, but must have been obtained from Tonga or Samoa. Being a raised coral atoll, Niue has no stone of this kind.

Toki uli (stone adzing tool)

The origins of Niue: a creation story

There were five gods: Fao, Huanaki, Lageiki, Lagiatea, and Talimainuku (Fakahoku). They left their land and discovered a small reef in the ocean – Niue.

The gods bailed water off the reef and emptied it into caverns. More and more dry land emerged, until the reef was big enough to live on.

It was one of the gods, Fao, who first brought humans to Niue. Some say that he had two children, Avatele and Malotele. Others believe he went to Fonuagalo and brought back a couple whose names were Avatele and Kavatele.

Ko e tupumaiaga ha Niue

Na toko lima e atua fakamua: ko Fao, Huanaki, Lageiki, Lagiatea mo Talimainuku (taha higoa foki ko Fakahoku). Ne fenoga a lautolu mai he motu ne nonofo ai ti moua e lautolu e uluulu he moana puke lahi, ko e matamaka ko Niue.

Ne ahu e lautolu e tau puke tahi mai he uluulu mo e liligi hifo he tau maihi maka. Kua kitia ai hane fae lahi fakahaga e kelekele momo ati maeke ia lautolu ke nonofo ai.

Ko e taha mai ia lautolu e tau atua ko Fao ne taatu fakamua e tau tagata ki Niue. Taha talahauaga pehe, na tokoua e haana a tau fanau, ko Avatele mo Malotele. Falu ne pehe, kua finatu a ia ki Fonuagalo mo e tamai e ia e hoana mo e taane ko Avatele mo Kavatele.

A full version of the origin story of Niue was documented by Pulekula, Teacher at Tama-ha-le-leka and published in the Journal of the Polynesian Society in 1903.

Niue: the stats

Total land area: 259 square kilometres

Highest point: About 60 metres above sea level

Annual rainfall: 2170 millimetres

Population in 2000: 1625 (2006 census)

More than 22,000 Niueans now live in New Zealand (2006 census).

Crab, Niue (1962)Photographer Richard Dell.

Posted in Pacific, Photography | Tagged atolls, museum, Niue, Niue language week, Pacific, Te Papa | Comments (1)

Queen Sälote of Tonga (1900–65) composer and poet

5 September 2012 – 5.16pm

This week is Tongan Language Week – Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga. This is the third blog post where the Pacific Cultures team highlight collection items that relate to Tongan language and culture.

In Tongan Language week it is difficult to look past the contributions of Tonga’s Queen Sälote (1900–65) to the preservation and creative use of the Tongan language. Queen Sälote was a celebrated writer of poetry and song. She composed over one hundred songs, lullabies, laments and dances.[i]

Nuku’alofa Tonga 1963 photographer Ans Westra

Queen Sälote has a connection withNew Zealand that began in 1909 when she was sent to school in Auckland where she stayed until she was 14. She visited New Zealand regularly throughout her life. In 1952, the Tongan government bought an Auckland residence, ‘Atalanga. This became Queen Sälote’s home away from home and later included a hostel for Tongans studying in Auckland. Her visits were mostly private, but she was acknowledged by both government officials and Mäori dignitaries.

When Queen Sälote died in 1965, she was deeply mourned. She was a loved and respected monarch.Queen Sälote’s children and grandchildren continue to maintain close links with New Zealand, especially with the Mäori monarchy, the Kïngitanga.

Te Papa has several treasured items and images associated with Queen Sälote in the Pacific Cultures Collections. They include a kie (fine mat) once owned by Queen Sälote, photographs featuring her by renowned photographer Brian Brake, and a ngatu launima some 23 metres long that was placed beneath her coffin when her body was flown back to Tonga from New Zealand in 1965.

In remembrance of Queen Sälote, we present a selection of images and artefacts below that you can click on to enlarge. We also offer a link to the blog site of Tongan/Samoan poet Maryanne Pale of the South Auckland Poets Collective. She has her own tribute to Queen Sälote and her poetry writing thats worth sharing.

Maryanne Pale, South Auckland Poets Collective Link: http://maryannepale.com/2012/03/22/celebrating-world-poetry-day-in-remembrance-of-queen-salote-mafileo-pilolevu-tupou-iii/

Kie hingoa /ie ioga (fine mat) Tonga/Samoa. This kie was formerly in the possession of Queen Sälote. She gave it to the Kronfeld family in Auckland to cover the coffin of Minna Kronfeld whom she had known as a girl. It passed to Minna’s brother, Dr Moe Kronfeld, who gave it to Te Papa.

This is rare fragment of tapa commemorates the war effort of Queen Sälote and the Tongan people who raised money for the British to buy Spitfire airplanes during the Second World War (1939-1945). The aircraft depicted was the first of 3 Spitfires donated to the British war effort by the Queen and people of Tonga. A total of 15,000 pounds was raised in Tonga for this purpose, the aircraft depicted on the tapa was the result of the first payment of 5,000 pounds in April 1941.

Tonga, Royal Tour 1953 Brian Brake (photographer)

Tonga, Royal Tour (1953) Brian Brake (photographer). Queen Sälote is at the front of the vehicle.

Royal Tour , Tonga (1953) Brian Brake (photographer). Queen Sälote is on the right holding a fan.

This ngatu launima was associated with two queens. Made in 1953 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Tonga, it was later placed under Queen Salote’s coffin when her body was flown back from New Zealand in 1965. The tapa was given to the pilot of the plane Flight Lieutenant McAllister, and he in turn presented it to the Dominion Museum (Te Papa’s predecessor) in 1968. Click on the image to see the details.

[i] Wood-Ellen, E. (ed). Songs and Poems of Queen Salote. Vava’u Press, Tonga (2004).

Posted in Pacific | Tagged Art, Pacific, photography, poem, poems, poetry, Tonga, Tongan, Tongan language week | Comments (2)

Kava drinking and Tongan culture

4 September 2012 – 4.35pm

This week is Tongan Language Week – Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga. This is the second blog post for this week where the Pacific Cultures team highlight collection items that relate to Tongan language and culture.

This is a kumete, a wooden bowl used in Tongan communities for the preparation of kava, a beverage made from the roots of the kava plant. A person preparing kava will crush the roots into a powder-like form before mixing it in a bowl with water to suitable strength and taste.

Kumete (kava bowl), Tonga

The most important use of kava is in meetings and ceremonies. Important guests and occasions are honoured with the formal serving of kava in coconut shell cups. Kava is also consumed informally, sometimes in kava clubs. While these informal kava drinking circles are often social, they are also important venues for the preservation of Tongan language and culture. Conversation, song, humour and even relationships are nurtured around the bowl through the sharing of the beverage among family and friends.

Longoteme, Tonga. 1963 photograph by Ans Westra
This image depicts a group of women in Tonga mixing kava

At Te Papa we collect tangible items associated with kava drinking such as kumete, kava cups and photography of specific events. However, just as interesting are the intangible elements of culture that make these artefacts significant – the stories, tales and cultural practices.

Watch this video clip from the Tales from Te Papa series where the Reverend Tevita Finau explains how kava drinking can play a role in the arts of Tongan courtship. Click here to Go to video.

Look out too for the Tales from Te Papa book available from Te Papa Press: http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/TePapaPress/FullCatalogue/TePapa/Pages/100AmazingTalesFromAotearoa.aspx

Posted in Pacific | Tagged kava, Pacific, Te Papa, Tonga, Tongan, Tongan language week | Comments (0)

Celebrating Tongan Language Week (1 September to 8 September)

3 September 2012 – 3.31pm

This week is Tongan Language Week – Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga. Over the next five days the Pacific Cultures team will be blogging about collection items from Tonga that relate to Tongan language and culture.

The week is promoted by the Aotearoa Tongan Teachers Association in partnership with the Human Rights Commission, other organisations and members of the Tongan community. The overall goals of the week can be found on the Human Rights Commission website and the Tongan Langage Week Facebook page.

The first work we feature in this series is by Tongan-born artist Filipe Tohi. His large aluminium sculpture at the entrance to the Te Papa exhibition Tangata o le Moana: the story of Pacific people in New Zealand is titled Matakimoana (‘Eye of the Ocean’).

Matakimoana by Filipe Tohi 2007

In creating Matakimoana, Filipe was inspired by tufunga lalava, the Tongan art of line and space intersection. This art is often seen in the intricate lashing of joins in houses, vaka (canoes), and fish hooks. Tohi says: ‘Kupesi [lalava designs] … contained a language, and meaning in a time that had no written word. The designs explained events, places, and people of the past…There is depth to the lalava designs – because they contain a language, related knowledge, and meaning in a time that had no pens.”

Matakimoana is a significant part of the story of Tongans and other Pacific peoples here at Te Papa. It reminds us how language, history and culture can be materialized in very sophisticated and sometimes very simple ways. Watch for more posts as we explore the Tongan Collections this week.

LINKS:

Human Rights Commission website

http://www.hrc.co.nz/race-relations/tongan-language-week

Tongan Langage Week Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tongan-Language-Week/121941617883036

Posted in Pacific | Tagged Art, Lea Faka-Tonga, Pacific art, Pacific culture, Tonga, Tongan, Tongan language week | Comments (1)

Islands style – Cook Islands (circa 1914)

9 August 2012 – 2.28pm

This is the fourth blog where we highlight items from the collections as part of Cook Islands language week (6-10 August 2012). I have selected a small number of portraits by George Crummer who had a photography business in Rarotonga, Cook Islands from 1890.

Te Papa has an album and 227 (now badly deteriorated) negatives taken by George Crummer between 1896 and c.1914. They were gifted to the Museum by the National Film Unit around 1980.

I was struck by the different styles of clothing and costumes people are wearing in these photographs and I share a few of them here. Yesterday, Safua highlighted some contemporary mu’umu’u, however, here we go old school, Rarotonga - Cook Islands 1914. There are some mu’umu’u in the selection, but check out the cowboy outfit and the hats…it’s Cook Islands style.