The mere is a traditional Maori weapon – a broad, flat club shaped a little like a paddle. Although made in stone, whalebone and pounamu (greenstone), the term mere should only be used to describe the pounamu weapon. Weapons were treasured by their Maori owners – both in battle and as a statement of status – and were often highly decorated. The pounamu mere was particularly prized for its strength. I photographed this contemporary souvenir mere at Ngai Tahu’s Hui-a-Tau at Colac Bay in Southland in November.
Showing posts with label Weapons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weapons. Show all posts
Thursday, December 31, 2009
On Weapons
The mere is a traditional Maori weapon – a broad, flat club shaped a little like a paddle. Although made in stone, whalebone and pounamu (greenstone), the term mere should only be used to describe the pounamu weapon. Weapons were treasured by their Maori owners – both in battle and as a statement of status – and were often highly decorated. The pounamu mere was particularly prized for its strength. I photographed this contemporary souvenir mere at Ngai Tahu’s Hui-a-Tau at Colac Bay in Southland in November.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Photographing Patu
River Birches, Turangi. April 2009. Ajr I snapped this contemporary carved patu (club) at the beautiful hideaway, River Birches on the banks of the Tongariro River. http://www.riverbirches.co.nz/
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
A Quiet Corner
Koukourarata Marae, Port Levy. March 2009. Ajr I drove over to Koukourarata Marae in pretty Port Levy on Banks Peninsular on Saturday; and in between celebrations and discussions I took a photo of these two wooden patu (weapons), that sit on a little shelf in the corner of the marae hall - Tutehuarewa. If scroll down a few postings, you'll see this lovely old building perched on the side of the bay.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
LinkWithin
