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Overview
This wooden tokere-mamaiti (smallest slit drum) was made in Aitutaki in the Cook Islands. In other parts of the Cook Islands, tokere (slit drums) are called pate. When a tini ka'ara (drum ensemble) is being played, the sound of the tokere form part of the main rhythm or beat. When accompanying dance performances, the tokere rhythms direct body and hand movements.
Three types of tokere
In a tini ka'ara there are three different types of tokere: tokere-taki or tokere-'atupaka (largest slit drum), tokere-tangarongaro (medium slit drum), and tokere-mamaiti (smallest slit drum). The smaller the drum, the higher the pitch. Tokere-taki are used in villages to call people to church or to 'uipa'anga (meetings).
Construction
A tokere is made by cutting a hardwood branch or tree trunk and removing the bark. A number of holes are drilled in a straight line, then the bits between them are chiselled out to form a long opening. The most important part of the process is working out how much wood should be hollowed out from the centre slit as this, along with the shape of the opening, determines how high or low the pitch of the drum will be.
Acquisition history
This tokere is one of a selection of items that had accumulated in Government House, Wellington, over many years. An attached label reads: 'Aitutaki 8.8.1972'. It was gifted to Te Papa in 1997.