Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang (centre) officially opens the exhibition. Also seen from second left are Jabu’s wife Dato Sri Empiang Jabu, Johnstone,
Pine, Museum Department director Ipoi Datan, Assistant Minister of Community Services Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie and (at right) Assistant Minister of Agriculture (Research and Marketing) Datuk Mong Dagang. — Photos by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
Elaborate Maori carvings are seen on display.
Maori woven bags are among the artworks that can be seen at the exhibition.
This carving symbolises the Pataka Taonga or storehouse of treasures.
A display of Taonga Puoro – musical instruments – known as Nga Hau E Wha or the four winds.
Women from the cultural troupe perform the poi (ball) dance.
The cultural troupe performs the haka – traditional war dance.
KUCHING: High quality Maori artwork produced by the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute (NZ MACI) is now on display at the Sarawak Art Museum for a month.
‘Tuku Iho – Living Legacy’, which opened yesterday, is part of the 2014 New Zealand Week events here.
“Tuku Iho means passing down knowledge to preserve cultural legacy and heritage. All the carved and woven objects in this exhibition each tell their own story,” said NZ MACI director Karl Johnstone.
“NZ MACI, established in 1926, is a national organisation in New Zealand responsible for the protection, promotion and perpetuation of Maori arts, crafts and culture.”
The institute runs the national schools of wood carving, jade, stone and bone-carving, weaving and canoe building.
“Fine examples of all of these forms will be found among the items on display in this exhibition,” said Johnstone.
This year’s New Zealand Week is themed ‘Lima Mata Ikan’ (Five Fish Eyes), which is ‘Rima Mata Ika’ in Maori, drawing attention to the similarity between Malay and Maori.
New Zealand High Commissioner to Malaysia David Pine said New Zealand Week aimed to gather those connected with New Zealand such as university alumni, business associates, workers abroad including friends and families to collaborate on promoting the country here.
“Why are we holding New Zealand Week? When I first arrived in Malaysia three years ago, New Zealand was not visible enough for Malaysians. The ‘Rima Mata Ika’ is part of our collaboration to explore and understand the similar cultures of the natives here with the Maoris,” he said.
NZ MACI also sent a delegation of artists and performers, who will spend two weeks in the state creating carvings and interacting with the arts community and local students.
They will also perform at tHe Spring shopping mall from Thursday until Monday (March 20-24) at 3pm.