Ika
Our stimulus for the course will be Ika, to make and talk about artworks. We will look at a variety of artists from historical to contemporary that use our watery friends as their kaupapa. We will act as Kiatiaki [guardians] by bringing awareness through art.
We will use a variety of materials and media to explore a range of art techniques. You will be assessed through focus studies where you will apply learned skills in media.
Guardianship, stewardship, protection, preservation of taonga kai.
In Te Ao Māori there lies a deep relationship between humans and the natural world. All life is connected. Everything has a “mauri” or life force.
A stream has a mauri that enables fish and stream life to live. Furthermore, take away or damage the mauri and a whole community could suffer. Finally, as a part of “protection” one of the operating principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, these taonga should be cared for.
a healthy moana (ocean) enhances the mauri of those who interact with it. Waitai (sea water) also spiritually cleanses and heals wairua (the spirit or soul of a person).
Matariki Stars and Kaitiakitanga
The star Waitā is associated with the sea and all the food sources in it.
The star Waitī is associated with fresh water and the food sources nurtured by the waters.
Keeping the balance
Customary practices maintained the balance between communities and nature. For activities such as hunting birds, gardening and fishing, this ensured that resources were managed sustainably. Practices included:
setting temporary rāhui on certain areas
using the maramataka (lunar calendar) to guide planting and harvesting
banning recreational fishing and birding
using appropriate baskets for different types of food
harvesting only what was needed
laying mauri stones in gardens. A tohunga would say a karakia over the stone, which was believed to protect resources
using bird snares at the right time – for instance, not during the breeding season
limits on fishing – for instance, tribes sometimes fished with a huge net strung between two canoes, but they only did so once a year.
Activity - what traditional practices do you know of still exist or are in place today?
Freshwater Cultural Keystone (Taonga) Species such as tuna, kōura and kāeo/kākahi are central to the identity and wellbeing of many Māori communities throughout Āotearoa. For generations, these species have sustained communities and been vital in the transfer of customary practices and knowledge from one generation to the next.
Activity - select one Freshwater Taonga to research. Make notes through dot points and sketches about its appearance, habitat and predators!
links are below to information on each Wai Toanga to start your research...
- Kakahi [freshwater mussell]
- Tuna [freshwater eel]
- Piharu [lamprey eel]
- Kaoura [crayfish]
- kanae [mullet]
- inanaga [galaxid fish]
- Patiki [freshwater flounder]
Moana Cultural Keystone (Taonga) Due to New Zealand’s impressive growing conditions for seafood, its ocean serves as a food basket [kaimoana]. Kaimoana, meaning ‘food from the sea’, provides physical, cultural, and spiritual sustenance.
Pāua - abalone
Ika -fish
Kōura - crayfish
Kina - sea egg
Karengo - seaweed
Wheke - octopus
Pipi Tuangi - cockle
Kuku - Green lipped mussel
Activity - select one Moana Taonga to research. Make notes through dot points and sketches about its appearance, habitat and predators!
Here's some other words for you to know
taniwha
1. (noun) water spirit, monster, dangerous water creature, powerful creature, chief, powerful leader, something or someone awesome - taniwha take many forms from logs to reptiles and whales and often live in lakes, rivers or the sea. They are often regarded as guardians by the people who live in their territory, but may also have a malign influence on human beings.
petipeti
1. (noun) jellyfish - a general name.
kiore moana
1. (noun) sea horse, Hippocampus abdominalis - a quaint little fish usually mottled in browns. The body is narrow and strongly cross ridged on the sides. Head resembles a horse, but the tail is curled.
awa
1. (noun) river, stream, creek, canal, gully, gorge, groove, furrow.
ākau
1. (noun) shore, coast, rocky coast, bank of a river or stream.
2. (noun) reef.
moana
1. (noun) sea, ocean, large lake.
wai tai
1. (noun) sea water, salt water.