Bringing back the forgotten: the Ulumate Project

TUE 19 JUL, 5PM
MUSEUM AUDITORIUM, LEVEL 2
FREE

“It was at Auckland War Memorial Museum in 2013 that Ole Maiava brought the ulu cavu wig to my attention” – Daren Kamali.

Bringing Back the Forgotten: The Ulumate Project is based on an old Fijian practice of wig ceremonies over two centuries ago. This completion of a contemporary ulu cavu wig began 25-years ago, with the growth and collection of Daren Kamali’s hair since 1997.

In 2021 heritage weaver Joana Monolagi completed the creation of a contemporary ulu cavu wig, using magimagi (coconut coir) and Vau (Hibiscus stem).

Join Na Tolu – The Three in talanoa as they share their work and research into the Ulumate Project.

Daren Kamali is Fijian, Uvean, Futunan, Samoan and Scottish, having migrated to Aotearoa New Zealand in 1992 from Fiji at the age of 17. 

Daren is a Pan Pacific writer and performer that reflects his multi-cultural background and upbringing in Fiji and Aotearoa NZ in his works.

Daren serves as Heritage Pacific Advisor to Auckland Libraries.

Daren currently works with Na Tolu – The Three on the Ulumate Project: Sacredness of Human Hair.

Ole Maiava is currently a Senior Placemaker for Panuku Development Auckland where he works mainly in South Auckland. He is passionate about working with youth and community development, especially those without a voice. He has developed, through experience at the ‘coalface’ and as a practicing multi-disciplinary artist, a set of skills that enable him to work closely with many different communities but concentrates a lot of his work on Pacific and Māori issues. Prior to his current role, he was Senior Outreach Programmer for Auckland War Memorial Museum 2012-2016. He was also the Pasifika Festival Director 2007-2012 with a brief stint of producing Community Fan Zones for Rugby World Cup 2011. Maiava also piloted the first Youth Transition Service for Porirua City Council after leaving Te Wananga o Aotearoa, an indigenous university, where he held various positions from HOD of Performing Arts at Porirua Campus to Pacific Liaison for the institution. Maiava is part of the (Un)Registered Savages of Aotearoa with Fijian artist Daren Kamali, both currently working on the Ulumate Project.