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Our kaupapa for this course will be Manu [birds] to make and talk about artworks. We will look at a variety of artists from historical to contemporary that use our feathered friends as their subject matter. We will act as Kiatiaki [guardians] by bringing awareness through our 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.
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
Matariki Stars and Kaitiakitanga
Tupuārangi: The fourth star is associated with food that comes from the sky and is linked to birds. Traditionally kererū were harvested around this time.
Keeping the balance
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.
RESEARCH:
RESEARCH:
You need to select a NZ bird to study through research and drawing.
Start to look at what bird you would like to study - perhaps its one that you can relate to personally - can you sing like a Tui? Are you bold like a Pukeko? or inquisitive like a Weka? Click here to continue learning about the importance of Manu in Maori culture
Here are 2 good links to identify what birds are native and endemic to NZ... DoC A-Z of birds & NZ birds gallery
You will need a Whakatauki about your Manu [English and Te reo version]
click here to read about messages from birds
Calendar illustrations with whakatauki
if you cant find one specifically about your Manu, look for a generic one like Mā ngā huruhuru ka rere te manu … It is the feathers that enable the bird to fly
Research information about your chosen Avian friend [food, habitat, importance to Maori culture, English and Te reo name] and collect a range of images of them as well [ flying, sitting, close up , in natural environment etc - read below for important tips on images from the internet!
Like many places around the world, birds were/are important in traditional Māori life. They were used for food, and people wore their feathers. Birds’ behaviour was used to predict the weather or the future.
Status symbols
Some birds were compared to chiefs, or provided feathers for important people to wear.
The huia’s white-tipped black feathers were worn by people of high rank, and were kept in a special carved box called a waka huia.
Kiwi meat was eaten by chiefs. Kahu kiwi (cloaks) were made from kiwi feathers.
Tūī can imitate other birds and people. They were sometimes taught to talk, and kept by chiefs.
Kākā had red feathers under their wings. These were made into Korowai cloaks for important people.
Seeing the future
People believed that some birds brought good or bad luck, or signalled what would happen in the future.
The kāreke (marsh crake) had a call that was good luck if you heard it on the right. It was bad luck to hear the kāreke call on your left.
If a Pikawakawa (fantail) came into a house, people believed someone would die.
The kōmiromiro (tomtit) was thought to bring good news.
Predicting the weather
Māori watched birds carefully. They thought that some birds’ actions predicted the weather.
If the kārearea (falcon) screamed on a sunny day, people believed the next day would be rainy. If it screamed on a rainy day, the next day would be fine.
The pīpīwharauroa (shining cuckoo) arrived in New Zealand at the start of spring. When people heard it call, they knew it was time to plant crops.
Sayings about birds
Sayings compared people to different types of birds.
The kāhu (hawk) was seen as noble, like a chief.
The korimako (bellbird) sings beautifully. Great singers and speakers were compared to it.
The pārera (grey duck) is a big eater. Greedy people were said to be like the pārera.
Names
Māori often named birds after their calls, their feathers, or the way they acted.
The kea’s name comes from its call: ‘keee aaa’.
The kuruwhengu’s name means ‘snuffle’, because of the way it feeds, upside down in shallow water.
*TIP when using google images search click on "tools" and change the size to medium or large for best quality images. You should also change usage rights to commercial to ensure you are not "stealing" other peoples copyrighted work'.
Useful websites
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/
https://goodmagazine.co.nz/messages-from-birds-new-zealands-native-birds-are-the-tweeters-you-should-pay-attention-to/#:~:text=Kerer%C5%AB%20Wood%20Pigeon%3A%20Abundance
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