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.
Te Ao Teariki (Chief) and his wife from Areora village on Mauke Island.
Cook Islands cowboy
