Kana-'akari (coconut grating stool)

item details

NameKana-'akari (coconut grating stool)

ProductionUnknown; early 20th century; Mauke

Classificationgraters

Materialswood, sennit, shell (animal material)

DimensionsOverall: 206mm (width), 314mm (height), 705mm (length)

Registration NumberFE003708

Credit lineExchange from Otago Museum, 1937

Overview

Kana-akari (coconut grating stools) like this one are used to scrape the flesh from the shells of mature coconuts (akari) that have been husked and split in half. Kana-akari of various forms are still used today and are an essential tool in the daily preparation of food in the Cook Islands.

Details

This kana-akari comprises of a curved seat with four legs and an arm projecting from one end - all fashioned from one piece of wood. In this example the grater is a flat rectangular piece of pearl shell with a serrated end, lashed to the stool by a plaited sennit (coconut husk fibre) cord. The entire seat has been carefully crafted to resemble a small four-legged animal in shape.

Acquisition

This kana-akari was originally acquired in 1937 by the Otago Museum, New Zealand, before it came to the National Museum (Te Papa's predecessor) in Wellington.