Kete Kupenga for Sakai City

Two Kete Kupenga, tane and wahine kete, were gifted from WSA to Sakai Wellington Association and Sakai City Council to celebrate the 30th anniversary of our associations. The following information was written by Linda Lee, one of the creators.

Kete Kupenga

[These kete were] Made by Frank Topia (Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Haua) and Linda Lee (Ngāti Kurī, Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngāti Huia, Pākehā, Chinese).

 The Māori Kete Kupenga is akin to a fishing basket that is woven with a take tahi (over one under one) pattern with lots of space in and around the harakeke (flax), made specifically for collecting kai moana (shellfish and seafood).

 The spatial pattern allows for the kaimoana (seafood) to be well kept, both draining water but also allowing enough moisture to keep the kaimoana fresh.

 There is a common misconception that raranga (weaving) was women’s work. These kete were often made by men and sometimes made on the fly so that they could be used very quickly when the kaimoana is present and in season.

Tikanga (Protocols)

Before harvesting karakia (prayer) is done to acknowledge Ranginui (Sky Father), Papatuānuku (Earth Mother) and the harakeke and its kōrari (seed pods). This also provides protection for the kairaranga (weaver) and sets a tapu (sacred space) for us to work.

A common karakia we use is:

Then we follow these rules: 

1.   We cut the rau with a clean (sterilised), sharp knife downwards close to the base of the plant. This allows the sap to drip down, out and away from the plant to avoid rotting of the plant. And, it is cut on this angle to allow irrigation to the plant from water/rain.

2.   We only cut the Tupuna allowing for regrowth - see image below.

3.  We do not cut when flowering over summer – this is when it drops seeds to expand the plant.

4.  We only take what we need but take care of the plant by cutting away dying/diseased or pest affected rau (leaves).

5.  Some wāhine (women) do not harvest and/or weave when in their moon cycle or when hapū (pregnant).

6.  We avoid walking over other people's work and tend to keep it covered until complete.

7.  Once complete or when we finish mahi (work) for the day we do another karakia to return us to a noa state (where we can return to daily activities leaving the tapu - sacred space).

Your Kete Kupenga

When gathering flax for this basket, we chose firm flax as the whenu (weaving strips) need to remain strong to retain the shape of the open weave in the basket and ensure longevity.

Each of these kete were made with 80 whenu plaited together with muka (fibres from the base of the harakeke rau - leaf).

Once both sides were complete they were folded and joined using the same weave before closing with a whiri (plait) with handles attached at the end.

Tohunga and Rongoā

Often when collecting kaimoana (seafood) a fisherman or fishing group would be accompanied by a tohunga to guide where to find the kaimoana and ensure safety. They may recite appropriate karakia for gathering and to keep danger at bay kino wairua (bad spirits/intentions), taniwha (Māori sea dwelling creatures that may cause harm or disaster - a bit like namazu).

Some interesting facts about Harakeke and rongoā (it’s Māori medicinal properties):

●  The sap also has a laxative effect so washing your hands after working with harakeke is required.

●  This sap also works as a natural antiseptic and blood coagulant if you happen to cut yourself when harvesting.

●  The leaf or root was pulped, heated and put on boils.

●  The hard part of the leaf was used as a splint.

●  Umbilical cords were tied with muka fibres - scraped flax twisted into miro twine.

●  Sore backs were heated by the fire and then strapped up with a flax belt.

●  A bad cut was sewn up with muka, using a sharpened stick.

●  When someone had tutu-tree poisoning, a flax gag was crammed in their mouth to stop them biting their tongue – or their throat was brushed with flax on the end of a stick to make them vomit.

●  The juice of the root was used to kill intestinal worms, and as a purgative.