Tala Pasifika

We visited the Auckland Museum on the 9 May because we are learning about cultural celebrations. We got into 2 groups. One group sat in the fale and made an ula which is a Samoan necklace. The other group looked at the patterns on the Tongan mat which is called a tapa cloth. It is made from the bark of the mulberry tree. The Tongan mat means wealth. Designs are carved on wood called a kupesi. The children then drew their patterns by rubbing a crayon on a blank page placed over the board with carved patterns. We looked at the beautiful tivaevae hanging on the wall. The tivaevae is a Cook Island quilt and is the highest gift given at a wedding or birthday. We then got together and learnt a Samoan dance called the sasa. Learning about other cultures was a lovely experience.