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Overview
single round shaped poi made of prepared muka (New Zealand flax fibre) looped using the tā kupenga (knotless netting) technique. The poi is adorned with lashing forming the karu atua or papakirango pattern, complete with pāua buttons. While the majority of the taura (cord) is missing, what remains appears to be made of muka using miromiro (rolling technique), and evidence of repair (which has since broken) using a contemporary material like cotton. There is also evidence of a fringe woven and attached using a braiding technique.
What makes this poi raupō unique is the inclusion of lashing techniques adorning the ball of which Te Papa has three historical examples and one contemporary replica. Of the current historical examples in the collection only one (ME024770) is this intact except for one contemporary replica which uses kiekie and harakeke leaf as opposed to prepared muka.
The structure of the lashing around poi has a practical application. By containing the poi it stops the expansion of the material that makes the ball of the poi, providing resilience and strength allowing the poi itself to last and endure longer and harder use before breaking. Regarding adornment of the pattern itself, there are two current interpretations generally circulated by weavers in regards to this lashing technique.
Karu Atua/ Karu Whenua: Also known as the ‘gods eye’ pattern. Where the pattern itself is thought to represent the eye of God or an atua. The inside of the poi is often said to contain a karakia or inoi that is spread to those in proximity when swung and used. It is debated that this is an introduced concept that developed after contact with Europeans.
Papakirango: Also known as the ‘fly swat pattern’. The diamond pattern that adorns poi like this are said to be a variation of papakirango. This is the pattern that was used to create pre-contact woven fly swats, whariki (mats) and tukutuku panels. This pattern is generally associated with death and its use in mats on which tupapaku (deceased) rested was its most frequent use. Poi like this were said to have been used by the kirimate/whānau pane (bereaved) in order to keep flies from settling on the body during tangihanga – which in the past could go for extended lengths of time. Poi utilised for this purpose were frequently interred with the deceased which is one theory used to account for the rarity of current day surviving poi awe.