{"id":59208,"date":"2012-01-22T00:01:41","date_gmt":"2012-01-21T22:01:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sorosoro.org\/?p=59208"},"modified":"2025-10-21T22:08:44","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T20:08:44","slug":"october-4-2011-january-22-2012-maori-exhibition-at-musee-du-quai-branly-paris","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sorosoro.org\/en\/2012\/01\/october-4-2011-january-22-2012-maori-exhibition-at-musee-du-quai-branly-paris\/","title":{"rendered":"October 4, 2011<\/strong> \u2013 January 22, 2012: M\u0101ori exhibition at Mus\u00e9e du quai Branly, Paris"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"expo-maori\"

<\/p><\/div>\n

The Mus\u00e9e du quai Branly<\/strong> is currently home to an exhibition \u2013 M\u0101ori, leurs tr\u00e9sors ont une \u00e2me<\/strong><\/em> (“their treasures have a soul”) \u2013 presenting the M\u0101ori culture through 250 pieces borrowed from collections of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa<\/strong>. This unique exhibition, presented outside New Zealand for the very first time, comes as the witness of a strong and live culture, and the assertion of a people\u2019s will to remain in control of its future. An opportunity to discover M\u0101ori culture as seen by the M\u0101ori themselves, outside the perspectives and models of the Western world.<\/p>\n

\n

The exhibition gathers a very wide variety of pieces \u2013 sculpture, finery, daily objects, sacred or ritual objects, elements of architecture, photography, audiovisual works, etc. \u2013 and organizes around three different sections:<\/p>\n

– the first one explores Whakapapa<\/strong>, that is the reference system through which are formulated cosmologic and genealogic narratives: bloodlines between peoples, tribal regions, natural environment and the relationship between all living and non-living things, as well as those to time, space, and generations… Visitors will discover the three fundamental elements that structure M\u0101ori society: waka (canoe, or means of transportation, whare tupuna (ancestral house), and t\u0101 moko (the art of skin sculpture, tattooing).<\/p>\n

– the second part covers the expressions of mana<\/strong>, a term referring to a spiritual force that dwells in all living things, animals, and sometimes even inanimate objects. Those who possess mana are granted respect: it confers authority, power, and prestige. The symbols of mana and identity exhibited here include personal adornment, a cloak, moko (tattoos), and weapons. Other mentions include the taonga (personal treasures), language and musical instruments.<\/p>\n

– the last part, finally, shines the light on Kaitiakitanga<\/strong>, that is the safeguard, care and protection led upon the natural environment. The M\u0101ori consider the world as an environment whose forms of life are all created by Papat\u016b\u0101nuku (Mother Earth), and where all things are interconnected.<\/p>\n

Contemporary expression of the M\u0101ori culture has also been given space at the end of the visit, including digital art, sculpture, installation, and photography.<\/p>\n

\n

\n

More information here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Exhibition slideshow (Le Monde<\/em>)<\/a><\/p>\n

Article on the restitution of all the M\u0101ori heads to New Zealand in January 2012.<\/a><\/p>\n