October 24, 2018
Weavers keen to unpick sail secrets
The secrets of the last known Māori sail are being sought by a group of weavers and researchers.
Te Rā has been in the British Museum for almost 250 years and could have been collected on one of Cook’s voyages.
One of the group, Ngāi Tahu weaver and restorer Ranui Ngarimu, says the techniques used to make the sail have been lost, but they hope close analysis and their own weaving experience can help uncover them.
"It is looking at the techniques and the knowledge that went behind making this sail, being able to reproduce that in a written or other form so it is there for the future of our mokopuna who might want to try to weave one in the future," she says.
Te Rā project is supported by a Te Aparangi Marsden Fund grant.
Copyright © 2018, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com