Waka Stern in MADINZ Presentation Box

The taurapa carvings represent the story of Tāne (god of forests and birds) ascending the twelve heavens to obtain the three baskets of knowledge - kete tuauri (basket of peace, goodness, and love), kete tūātea (basket of prayer, incantations, and ritual), and kete aronui (basket of war, agriculture, wood, stone, and earth work) - in order to learn the secrets of life. On the way, his elder brother Whiro (evil) tries, unsuccessfully, to disrupt Tāne's journey.

The more elaborately carved taurapa would have a manaia or avian-like creature seen grappling with the two vertical rib forms representing the creative principles of life. The manaia is biting down on the tops of the two ribs, which represent ira-atua (the gods) and ira-tangata (humankind). The manaia is therefore symbolically battling the opposing notions of war and peace. The surrounding spiral system is called pitau meaning perforated spiral carving.

To carve a waka taua took great skill, and canoe-makers acquired great mana (prestige) and reputations as priests and craftsmen for their ritual and technical expertise. These qualities were seen as inseparable and would have been highly desirable in the construction of waka taua, which were imbued with spiritual significance during the transportation of warriors over great distances.
 
Measures H23 x W15 x D7cm 
 
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