Tikanga
In the days of our tipuna tikanga played an important role in all daily activities, especially in weaving as it was such an important part of their daily lives. Below are a selection of some of the most common, however each iwi had their own practices which thankfully are still taught to this day in many places.
Karakia:
It is important to karakia to the flax before harvesting, just as it is important to ask permission of another before borrowing or using something of another persons. Using karakia before, during, after and during the weaving process was important because it maintained a respectful attitude both to harakeke for giving itself to you to use and to the weaving processes and patterns which have been handed down generation by generation to you.
Cutting Flax:
Flax should not be cut from the plant at night, in the rain, during frost or in high winds. Cutting or doing any type of mahi during the night was prohibited. Traditionally this was the time when whanau would gather together to talk amongst one another, when stories were told by elders and orators and when our elders would sing the babies to sleep so the old knowledge would be impressed upon them while their bodies rested for the coming day. Harvesting during rains and frost as well as being uncomfortable, made the harakeke retain a higher moisture content which would take longer for them to prepare.
Burning Flax:
Flax must not be burned. Trimmings and waste material traditionally were coiled or bundled and returned to the flax plant to rot. Traditionally this was dfone to return the flax to Papatuanuku in order to enrich the soil thereby stimulating and supporting the continued growth of the flax. Recent studies undertaken by Landcare Research have shown however that doing so encourages the proliferation of pests and diseases which can harm the plant.
Children:
In most areas children are discouraged from touching, playing with or stepping over flax that is being used or left over. This may be so weavers can concentrate on their work and new designs without distraction.
Eating:
Traditionallyweavers did not eat drink or smoke while working. This can be distracting and damaging to kete and raranga. There are many connections between food and tapu.
Women:
Women with their mate wahine (period) were prohibited from entering pa harakeke, gathering flax or stepping over flax leaves or strips. During this time a woman was tapu and her menstral flow had the ability to remove tapu from (or make "noa") people, places and things including mahi raranga. This was traditionally a time when a women would rest, though once back in balance she would find renewed enthusiasm and energy for her work.
Illness:
A person with an illness was prohibited from harvesting or even approaching a harakeke plant because illness destroyed tapu.
First Items:
It was typical for the first items made to be either given away or thrown into a river or buried as an offering to Papatuanuku in thanks for the resources provided for its creation. To recieve the first kete of a learner was taken as a compliment by experienced weavers.
