Harakeke Weaving

Today we did harakeke (flax) weaving as part of our learning about using different fabrics and fibres to make artwork.
Declan's mum Elise, and her friend Diana taught us and we learnt about how the harakeke is harvested. 

Māori speak about the harakeke bush as a whānau (family group). Harakeke grows in a fanlike pattern the rito or ‘baby’ leaf at the centre of the fan is identified as a tamaiti ‘child’ and the āwhi rito ‘parent’ leaves which flank it on either side are the guardians. This group of leaves is never taken. Only the leaves third or fourth from the centre, considered as the tupuna ‘grandparent’ leaves, are cut.

We made putiputi (flower) and bracelets. Here are some photos.