September 25, 2015
Whakairo book start of bringing culture back to classroom
Scholar Sir Hirini Moko Mead says his book on the art of Maori carving was originally developed as a way to help his Maori pupils connect with their culture.
Te Toi Whakairo, which has just been reprinted, first came out in the 1980s, about the time the Te Maori exhibition sparked wider interest in the culture.
But its roots were in the slim guide he produced in the early 1960s when he was working as a teacher in Maori schools.
He says the forces of assimilation were strong, and many children were confused about where they stood.
"They were Maori but they went to these schools and everything was done in English. They had to leave their culture at the door or even at the gate and we were in the process of changing that and bringing the culture back into the classroom or allowing students to bring their culture with them," he says.
Sir Hirini Moko Mead says over the past three decades Te Toi Whakairo has helped many people make a start in becoming carvers.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH SIR HIRINI MOKO MEAD CLICK ON THE LINKhttps://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast/x_podlink/MzI4MDk=/
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