Muka

Detail of border of kahu kiwi woven using tāniko, the muka warps (vertical) are twisted pairs.

Muka is prepared fibre of New Zealand flax (Māori: harakeke).^[1] Prepared primarily by scrapping, pounding and washing, it is a key material in Māori traditional textiles where is is usually used in tāniko or twined weaving, as in the figure right.

In pre-European times, muka was widely used by the Māori and was the primary fibre used for weaving clothing. Patu muka or pounding stones were a distinct tool type.^[2]

In the early colonial period, muka was a trade staple, often being traded for muskets with devastating effects.^[3] Well into the European era it was used for paper, clothing and sacking, with large commercial workings Foxton and elsewhere.^[4]

Since the Māori renaissance the resurgence in traditional Māori weaving has seen up-swing in the use of muka, especially for art and high-end craft items. Usually woven muka is distinguished from woven (unprepared) flax which is only suitable for course-work such as bags (Māori: kete) and panels.

References

1. ^ "Māori Dictionary". maoridictionary.co.nz. 2011 [last update]. http://www.maoridictionary.co.nz/index.cfm?dictionaryKeywords=muka. Retrieved 10 October 2011. "(noun) prepared flax fibre. He harakeke iraira, he mumura te kākāriki o ngā whā, he kōwhai ngā tāekaeka, he karaka ngā tapa me te tuaka, he mā, he mōhinuhinu te muka o tēnei harakeke (PK 2008:603). A variegated flax, with bright green leaves, yellow stripes, orange edges and midrib, while the fiber of this flax is white and shiny." 
2. ^ "Patu muka - Collections Online - Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa". collections.tepapa.govt.nz. 2011 [last update]. http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/objectdetails.aspx?oid=132710. Retrieved 10 October 2011. 
3. ^ "The early flax trade - Flax and flax working &mdash& Te Ara". teara.govt.nz. 2011 [last update]. http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/flax-and-flax-working/3. Retrieved 10 October 2011. "The Māori producers were not paid in cash but in goods – usually muskets. The trade therefore had a lasting impact on Māori society. With firearms, conflicts between tribes turned into full-scale wars. Tribes competed for control of the flax trade and thus the supply of muskets." 
4. ^ "Last flax cut, Foxton - Manawatū and Horowhenua places &mdash& Te Ara". teara.govt.nz. 2011 [last update]. http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/manawatu-and-horowhenua-places/8/4. Retrieved 10 October 2011.