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The Kiribati Arts and Weavers Community

The first group to engage with the Te Aho Mutunga Kore kaupapa was a group of Kiribati makers, with the goal of accessing the Museum's collections to gain a deeper understanding of traditional Kiribati creative practices.

Here, we'll share updates from The Kiribati Arts and Weavers Community as they progress on their journey.

Tāmaki Paenga Hira has one of the best late 19th and early 20th century Kiribati collections, which is of importance to local Kiribati makers. On Tuesday 27th of June the Kiribati Arts and Weavers Community visited the Museum to view and learn about the Kiribati textile and fibre collections. This visit would kick start their project with Te Aho Mutunga Kore, which is our new textile and fibre knowledge exchange centre for Māori and Pasifika communities.

Through Te Aho Mutunga Kore, the Kiribati Arts and Weavers aim to encourage practices of weaving and collective making in the community. They have since facilitated weekly workshops of tibuta making with young women, and are preparing for their next activities of pandanus weaving and the generation of language resources with the community children and youth. These are the values that Te Aho Mutunga Kore encourages to increase the importance of language through applied practices and engagement of community. The taonga the Museum holds, opens the doors to those that connect to them. The connection to taonga and knowledge imbued within them helps the community to discover more about the skills and craftmanship of their ancestors. 

The Kiribati visit was also the first for Te Aho Mutunga Kore, which launched this year with the generous support of Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Te Aho Mutunga Kore will ensure sustained engagement with textile and fibre collections held by the Museum, to strengthen the ties (aho) between community and their material culture heritage, creating a safe pathway for taonga tuku iho (knowledge transmission).

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Strengthening generational ties

Strengthening generational ties

For Kiribati Language Week 2023, Auckland Museum was extraordinarily grateful to host performances organised by the Kiribati Arts and Weavers Community. Kiribati children adorned in traditional garments delighted visitors with their song and dance.

The garments, made by the Kiribati Arts and Weavers Community, showcased the exemplary design and craftmanship that distinguishes Kiribati culture and heritage.

By bringing together youth and cultural knowledge in ways such as these, the longevity of the Kiribati community is ensured to thrive for generations to come. 

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Continue the threads of knowledge

Every gift to Te Aho Mutunga Kore supports a space for sharing wisdom, exchanging stories, and nurturing treasured skills. Help to ensure the continuity of Māori and Pasifika textile traditions with your donation today.

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Sign up to receive email updates about Te Aho Mutunga Kore, as this kaupapa progresses. We’ll share regular updates of the mahi each community group is undertaking.

Image: Te iriba n bobai, ornamental fan. Kiribati. AWMM. 2002.95.1; 55961. More information

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Te iriba n bobai, ornamental fan. Kiribati. AWMM. 2002.95.1; 55961. More information

This kaupapa is made possible with the significant and generous support of Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage

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