Whakairo

Whakairo, also known as toi whakairo, is a traditional Māori art form involving carving.

Artists practice this craft using wood, stone, or bone. These carvings serve more than just an aesthetic purpose. They often depict tribal ancestors through specific designs. These patterns help establish the identity of an iwi or hapu. An iwi is a large tribe, while a hapu is a smaller sub-tribe. Through whakairo, people connect their physical objects to their ancestral lineage.

The process of creating whakairo depends heavily on the chosen material. Wood is a common medium used for many different purposes. Carvers shape timber into houses, fence poles known as pouwhenua, or containers. They also craft tool handles and waka, which are canoes. For carving tools, Māori traditionally used very hard stone. Pounamu, or greenstone, was the preferred material for these implements. Bone was also utilized to create functional items like fish hooks and needles.

Decoration is a vital part of the carving process. Many wooden carvings are painted to highlight specific features. Before modern paints became available, carvers used a traditional mixture. They combined kōkōwai, which is red ochre, with shark-liver oil. This mixture served two important functions. First, it helped to preserve the carvings. Second, it imbued the objects with a tapu status. Tapu means the items are considered sacred. The introduction of metal tools later allowed for much more decorative ornamentation. This change led to more complex patterns in both wood and bone carving.

The history of whakairo has shifted alongside changes in Māori society. During the 1840s, many traditional items were replaced by Western counterparts. For example, waka huia treasure containers were often swapped for lockable seaman's chests. In the 1860s, the production of waka taua, or war canoes, declined. These large vessels were superseded by whaleboats and European-style sailing ships. During this period of transition, carvers shifted their focus. They began concentrating on carved marae, which are meeting places. They also focused on tokotoko, or carved walking sticks, and aspects of church buildings.

By the late 1800s, carving traditions were centered around communal schools. These schools were located in areas like Rotorua, Te Urewera, and the Whanganui River. The Te Arawa people were particularly successful during a tourism boom in the 1870s. They produced carvings for a model village at Whakarewarewa and for souvenirs. A major turning point occurred in 1926 when Sir Āpirana Ngata opened the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute.

This institute in Whakarewarewa became a stronghold for traditional skills. Ngata believed that these arts were a vital part of rejuvenating Māori culture. Notable leaders like Hōne Taiapa helped head these educational efforts.

Since the Māori Renaissance of the 1960s, whakairo has experienced a major resurgence. This movement has expanded the art into the realm of contemporary art. Many modern carvers also express their work through explicitly spiritual terms. Today, the Māori Art Market helps promote and sell these works. This market is funded by the state-sponsored organization Toi Māori Aotearoa. This ensures that the craft remains a significant part of the modern economy and culture.

Many famous carvers have shaped the history of this art form. Notable names include Raharuhi Rukupo, who died in 1873, and Wero Tāroi, who lived from approximately 1810 to 1880. Other significant artists include Hone Taiapa, Piri Poutapu, and Pakariki Harrison. You can find many important collections of whakairo in major institutions. Te Papa and the Auckland Art Gallery hold substantial holdings of these works. Te Papa has even digitized many of its carvings for people to view online. This allows the history and skill of whakairo to be shared globally.