The culture of the Maoris, New Zealand's first inhabitants, comes alive at this year's Global Village, at a pavilion shared by a host of Pacific nations.
The 600-square metre pavilion showcases the culture, crafts and tradition of the Maoris, as well as the native populations of the island nations of Fiji, Tonga and the Solomon Islands.
"One cannot fully appreciate the art, culture and life of Pacific islanders, unless he immerses himself in their oral traditions and learns the symbolism of their traditional carvings," said Regina Sio, a native Maori and chief executive of SMK Management, main organisers of the pavilion.
"Being here today, in the midst of 45 other nations, is an awesome experience. We are learning about other cultures and sharing our culture with others, too," she said.
The pavilion's faade, featuring indigenous art, recreates a traditional Maori meeting house, or "Wharenui".
In Maori tradition, great importance is attached to the meeting house, explained filmmaker and production Lee Baker, a sixth-generation New Zealander.
Maoris have a long-standing habit of providing legendary hospitality, said Anne Minhinnick, a Maori shop owner in the pavilion, who sells traditional items.
"Maoris had no written tradition before the colon-isers arrived. So our stories are etched in stone or shell carvings and that's what's been faithfully handed down from generation to generation," she said.
For example, fishhooks laminated with 5,000-year-old Rimu wood (Dh400) are symbols of protection for seamen, as well as fertility.
The "Pounamu", a huge wing-shaped jade carving dangling on Minhinnick's neck, represents her stature in the Maori community.
"This stone, blessed by the community elders, carries a privilege and honour handed down over many generations," she said.
Arts and crafts
Among these exhibitions are many rare artifacts. Particularly interesting are Kauri bowls and platters, made of wood carbon-dated at 45,000 years old.
Also on display are Maori handicrafts, including carvings made from the shell of the Blackfoot-Abalone, or "Paua". It is found only in New Zea-land's coastal waters.
The average shell is oval in shape and about five inches in length. It is harvested mainly for its meat, a delicacy among the Maoris.
The shell is renowned for its deep blue-green and turquoise colours, and is often worked into jewellery.
Prior to the European colonisation of New Zea-land, native Maoris made extensive use of the shell for jewellery and for carvings.
Another craft of the Maori people on display at Global Village are stone carvings made from nephrite, a mineral related to jade.
Nephrite is a difficult stone to work with, especially with the primitive grinding tools available to the Neolithic Maori. The art is unique to New Zealand.
The traditional Maori craft of weaving is also on display. When Maoris arrived in New Zealand about 1,000 years ago, they discovered Harekeke, an indigenous lily which produces a strong fibre.
Challenge
As a culture without metal-working, and in a country without animals to provide hides or clothing, the Maori soon found flax vital to their lives.
Over time, the Polynesian skills of weaving mats and baskets became transformed and adapted to tasks such as making ropes, fishing lines and nets, sails for canoes, shelter and clothing.
A troupe of Maori performers is being flown in from New Zealand, so visitors can enjoy traditional songs and dances.
"It was a big challenge to remain true to this exceptional culture while designing this pavilion. I think visitors to Global Village are going to love it," said Sunil Bhatia, chief executive of E4 Entertainment, who helped build the pavilion.
New zealand and pacific nations
Joining Global Village for the first time
- Pavilion area covers 600 square metres; the faade is inspired by a Wharenui, a Maori meeting place, which reflects the tradition and history of Maori tribes and sub-tribes.
- Two per cent of sales generated at the pavilion will be turned over to Global Village organisers to be given for the UAE Red Crescent's tsunami victim relief drive, said organisers.
- Pavilion showcases culture, crafts and traditions of the indigenous Maori and Pacific Island peoples.
- Products: Cloaks, garments, bags made of flax, contemporary Maori art, CDs of Maori music, carvings, shirts, Kauri bowls and platters (made up of wood carbon dated at 45,000 years old), carvings made from the shell of the Blackfoot-Abalone (a seashell called "Paua") and stone carvings made from nephrite (a mineral related to jade).
- A troupe of Maori performers is being flown in from New Zealand so visitors can enjoy traditional songs and dances.
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