Raranga Kete Wananga
Join Aver-Kathleen for a holistic experience of raranga weaving in accordance and alignment with traditional indigenous practices (Tikanga and Kaupapa Māori). You'll learn the basic skills to weave a kete.
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Description
Learn to weave a kete and harvest harakeke in accordance with traditional indigenous practices (Tikanga and Kaupapa Māori)
Course timetable
Day one
- 9:30am Timata (start). Karakia timatanga (starting prayer). Welcome and introductions.
- Presentation about raranga
- 10:30am Hauhake Tikanga (harvest procedures). You will harvest the harakeke (flax) in accordance with traditional practices. All students will participate in collecting and carrying the harakeke back to the classroom, if this is possible. If it is not possible to harvest at the school (if the supply is too low, or the weather unsuitable) then there will be a teaching session about this, and harakeke will be supplied.
- Preparation for raranga (weaving)
- 12 - 12:30pm lunch break (BYO kai)
- 12:30pm Ruriruri tikanga (sizing procedures). Prepare for softening process, tikanga includes: splitting harakeke, sizing each whenu (weaving strip), softening process
- 2pm Raranga tikanga (weaving procedures). Tikanga around how kete comes together. A full understanding of this will help students leave feeling confidence to create another piece.
- 3:30pm Wā whakatā - small break
- 3:45m Whakapai -Tidying the learning area. Reconciliation - protocols for proper disposal of 'take'
- 4:15pm Whakamutunga - reflections and evaluations forms
- 4:30pm Karakia whakamatunga - Hoki ki te kāinga - go home.
Day two
- Similar opening and close to day one. Students will harvest harakeke (if possible) and work on another kete or kono.
By the end of the programme students will have gained traditional knowledge and understanding of the procedures surrounding raranga. Students will also learn the practical skills associated with weaving a kete. If there is sufficient time and ability, we may have time to also begin weaving a kono (food basket). Students will take home an information pack to support their raranga learning journey. At the end of the workshop students will have completed a kete each; to gift / take home.
[The learner should always gift their first piece, in accordance with tikanga]
Testimonials
From August 2022: I loved not only how to weave, but about the traditional tikanga/rules around harvesting harakeke, and working with the flax.
