Harakeke and Weaving

This lesson followed on from our lesson on Rongoā (Māori medicine).

We looked at the importance of Harakeke (Flax) to Māori and the customs and beliefs that go with it. 

We learnt that Karakia (prayers) are said before cutting the outer leaves (tūpuna- grandparents). That you never cut the rito (child)- the inner small new growth leaves. You also never harvest harakeke when it is raining.

Māori believe it will bring bad luck if  the correct protocol (custom) is not followed.

During our lesson we learnt lots of Māori words to do with Harakeke and weaving. We worked in pairs/small groups to match sentences with key words. 

But the fun really began we we got to do some weaving of our own. We used black corrugated card, plastic needles and twine. 
Look at our creations. 
'This has been the most fun ever' -Cohen Room 17
'This is the most fun thing you've done with us, even better than Kahoot'- Jose Room 17