#kapatotapa

[kapatotapa]

Mai the Timatanga | From the Beginning

Anei tetahi pakipumeka poto kia whakaahua kia koutou ngā ahuatanga o te hanga aute/Māori tapa. Ko tēnei te huarahi pai kia tini te kiri o te rākau, ki te kākahu, te pōhai (ear ornament), te here makawe rānei.

Here is a glimpse into the process of preparing and beating aute. This video shows  how bark has the potential to transform into cloth, ear ornaments or hair “fillets” ties. This documentation is significant because it was the first time I had beat aute in Aotearoa and at this point I didn’t even know if it would work. In retrospect, I knew it was aute when I smelt it soaking because it has a very distinct smell. Also in this beating session if I remember correctly the bark hadn’t been soaking for long enough (so I resoaked it!)