Muka is prepared fibre of New Zealand flax (Māori: harakeke).[1] Prepared primarily by scraping, pounding and washing, it is a key material in Māori traditional textiles where it is usually used in tāniko or twined weaving. Some varieties produce different grades or quality of muka that result in characteristics such as strength, whiteness or shine.[2]
Detail of border of kahu kiwi woven using tāniko, the muka warps (vertical) are twisted pairs.
In pre-European times, muka was widely used by the Māori and was the primary fibre used for weaving clothing. Patu muka or pounding stones were a distinct tool type.[3]
In the early colonial period, muka was a trade staple, often being traded for muskets with devastating effects.[4] Well into the European era it was used for paper, clothing and sacking, with large commercial workings in Foxton and elsewhere.[5]
Since the Māori renaissance the resurgence in traditional Māori weaving has seen up-swing in the use of muka, especially for art and high-end craft items. Usually woven muka is distinguished from woven (unprepared) flax which is only suitable for coarse work such as bags (kete) and panels.
Referencesedit
^. maoridictionary.co.nz. 2011. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2011. (noun) prepared flax fibre. He harakeke iraira, he mumura te kākāriki o ngā whā, he kōwhai ngā tāekaeka, he karaka ngā tapa me te tuaka, he mā, he mōhinuhinu te muka o tēnei harakeke (PK 2008:603). A variegated flax, with bright green leaves, yellow stripes, orange edges and midrib, while the fiber of this flax is white and shiny.
^Chitham, Karl (2019). Crafting Aotearoa : a cultural history of making in New Zealand and the wider Moana Oceania. Kolokesa Uafā Māhina-Tuai, Damian Skinner, Rigel Sorzano. Wellington, New Zealand: Te Papa Press. p. 15. ISBN978-0-9941362-7-5. OCLC 1118996645.
^"Patu muka - Collections Online - Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa". collections.tepapa.govt.nz. 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
^"The early flax trade - Flax and flax working — Te Ara". teara.govt.nz. 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2011. The Māori producers were not paid in cash but in goods – usually muskets. The trade therefore had a lasting impact on Māori society. With firearms, conflicts between tribes turned into full-scale wars. Tribes competed for control of the flax trade and thus the supply of muskets.
^"Last flax cut, Foxton - Manawatū and Horowhenua places — Te Ara". teara.govt.nz. 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
January 01, 1970
muka, prepared, fibre, zealand, flax, māori, harakeke, prepared, primarily, scraping, pounding, washing, material, māori, traditional, textiles, where, usually, used, tāniko, twined, weaving, some, varieties, produce, different, grades, quality, muka, that, re. Muka is prepared fibre of New Zealand flax Maori harakeke 1 Prepared primarily by scraping pounding and washing it is a key material in Maori traditional textiles where it is usually used in taniko or twined weaving Some varieties produce different grades or quality of muka that result in characteristics such as strength whiteness or shine 2 Detail of border of kahu kiwi woven using taniko the muka warps vertical are twisted pairs In pre European times muka was widely used by the Maori and was the primary fibre used for weaving clothing Patu muka or pounding stones were a distinct tool type 3 In the early colonial period muka was a trade staple often being traded for muskets with devastating effects 4 Well into the European era it was used for paper clothing and sacking with large commercial workings in Foxton and elsewhere 5 Since the Maori renaissance the resurgence in traditional Maori weaving has seen up swing in the use of muka especially for art and high end craft items Usually woven muka is distinguished from woven unprepared flax which is only suitable for coarse work such as bags kete and panels References edit Maori Dictionary maoridictionary co nz 2011 Archived from the original on 25 April 2012 Retrieved 10 October 2011 noun prepared flax fibre He harakeke iraira he mumura te kakariki o nga wha he kōwhai nga taekaeka he karaka nga tapa me te tuaka he ma he mōhinuhinu te muka o tenei harakeke PK 2008 603 A variegated flax with bright green leaves yellow stripes orange edges and midrib while the fiber of this flax is white and shiny Chitham Karl 2019 Crafting Aotearoa a cultural history of making in New Zealand and the wider Moana Oceania Kolokesa Uafa Mahina Tuai Damian Skinner Rigel Sorzano Wellington New Zealand Te Papa Press p 15 ISBN 978 0 9941362 7 5 OCLC 1118996645 Patu muka Collections Online Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa collections tepapa govt nz 2011 Retrieved 10 October 2011 The early flax trade Flax and flax working Te Ara teara govt nz 2011 Retrieved 10 October 2011 The Maori producers were not paid in cash but in goods usually muskets The trade therefore had a lasting impact on Maori society With firearms conflicts between tribes turned into full scale wars Tribes competed for control of the flax trade and thus the supply of muskets Last flax cut Foxton Manawatu and Horowhenua places Te Ara teara govt nz 2011 Retrieved 10 October 2011 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Muka amp oldid 1220299618, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
