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Whatas or Patukas - Maori Food Storehouses
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Whatas or Patukas - Maori Food Storehouses
Whatas or Patukas - Maori Food Storehouses. They are elevated from the ground by posts, to protect their contents from rats. Top left is an ordinary patuka for holding seeds. Top right is an ornamented patuka belonging to Ko Tariu, a chief of Taupo. Below is a storehouse belonging to the chief Te Heuheu at Taupo. Also in the picture is a woman beating flax. Plate from The New Zealanders illustrated by George French Angas (1822-1886). Date: 1847
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Media ID 14145336
© David Cousins / Mary Evans Picture Library
1847 Angas Anthropological Anthropology Beating Chief Elevated Ethnographic Ethnography Flax Maori Maoris Ornamental Ornamented Posts Seeds Storage Store Storehouse Tradition Traditions Tribal Zealand Zealander Racial Storehouses Taupo
EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph, taken in 1847 by the renowned English artist and ethnographer George French Angas, offers a glimpse into the traditional Maori food storage practices of New Zealand. The Maori people, the indigenous Polynesian inhabitants of New Zealand, had a rich cultural heritage, which included the construction of elevated food storehouses known as Whatas or Patukas. These structures were built on posts to protect their contents from rats and other pests, ensuring the preservation of their valuable food supplies. The top left image in the photograph shows an ordinary Patuka, a small storehouse for holding seeds. The top right image is an ornamented Patuka, which once belonged to Ko Tariu, a prominent chief of Taupo. The intricate carvings and decorations on the Patuka reflect the importance of the Maori people's connection to their land and their spiritual beliefs. The bottom image in the photograph depicts a larger storehouse belonging to the chief Te Heuheu at Taupo. The storehouse is filled with food, including potatoes, sweet potatoes, and other staples, which were essential for the Maori community's survival. The woman in the foreground is shown beating flax, which was used for making clothing, mats, and other essential items. This photograph provides a fascinating insight into the daily life and traditions of the Maori people during the mid-19th century. It is a testament to their resourcefulness, ingenuity, and deep connection to their land and culture. The Maori people's food storage practices, as depicted in this photograph, continue to be an essential part of their cultural heritage and are still practiced to this day.
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