Story: Traditional Māori games – ngā tākaro

Māori children playing knucklebones

Māori children playing knucklebones

This 1907 Gottfried Lindauer painting shows Māori children playing knucklebones. The game had a range of Māori names including ruru, kōruru, kai makamaka, tutukai and ruke. As with most Māori games there were special chants to go with the different stages of play.

Using this item

Auckland Art Gallery – Toi o Tāmaki
Reference: 1915/2/21
Oil on canvas by Gottfried Lindauer, 1907

Permission of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Ross Calman, 'Traditional Māori games – ngā tākaro - Games of skill with words and hands', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/39354/maori-children-playing-knucklebones (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Ross Calman, published 5 Sep 2013