Exhibition of Traditional Maori Weaving at Kemp House

An exhibition of raranga (weaving) will open at Kemp House on Saturday November 7th and running until November 29th, 2009. The exhibition will mainly feature examples of kete (traditional bags made with woven indigenous plant material) made by a selection of expert weavers from around the Far North District plus some from further afield.

Entry to the exhibition will be by koha.

“In many ways, kete and other examples of raranga provided a sense of common ground between Maori and Pakeha when the missionaries first established the Mission Station,” says the Manager of Kerikeri Mission, Liz Bigwood.

“A number of chiefs’ daughters lodged at the Mission House where they received basic schooling from the missionaries – including literacy, shown by Rongo’s slate on display at the Mission House, and domestic skills like cooking and sewing. One of the skills the girls were able to share with the missionaries, however, was raranga.”

Their work was very evident to at least one prominent visitor. In 1841, Lady Franklin visited and recorded seeing woven flax mats covering every surface – including beds, tables and floors – all likely to have been made by the girls living at Kemp House.

“There’s a long tradition of having raranga adorning Kemp House – it was very much an art form which Maori shared with the missionaries, and which served as part of the function and decoration of the house since its earliest days,” says Liz.

“We’re excited about continuing this tradition with our exhibition, and looking forward to sharing the beauty and skill of this artform in a setting where raranga was once a part of everyday life.”

The exhibition is being organised by two local kete enthusiasts and collectors: Toi te Rito Maihi, foundation member of the first national weavers committee formed by Aotearoa Moananui-a-Kiwa in 1984, and Kerikeri artist Chris Booth.

In addition to the works on display by Toi Maihi and from the Chris Booth collection, raranga treasures from the Kemp House collection will also be displayed, including a kete gifted to the Kemp family by the mother of VC winner Te Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu.

“This exhibition will be a tremendous opportunity for local people and visitors to see some beautiful and rare examples of the flax-weavers art. It’s not to be missed,” says Liz.

Event listed by qolsol

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