Tapu (sacredness) was a vital part of traditional Māori society. In this painting from about 1902 by Gottfried Lindauer, a tohunga (priest) is being fed because touching food could remove his tapu.
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Auckland Art Gallery – Toi o Tāmaki
Oil painting by Gottfried Lindauer
Permission of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
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