Kōrero: Cook Islanders

Haircutting ceremony, Porirua

Haircutting ceremony, Porirua

The haircutting ceremony is a rite of passage for young boys. At these large gatherings the boy sits on a chair draped with tīvaevae (quilts). As his hair is cut, members of the community plaster the boy with money or other gifts. The custom serves to maintain reciprocal ties within the extended family and community.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PAColl-7327)
Reference: EP/1979/3832/34
Photograph by Ian Mackley

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Te tuhi tohutoro mō tēnei whārangi:

Carl Walrond, 'Cook Islanders - Settlement', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/mi/photograph/856/haircutting-ceremony-porirua (accessed 29 March 2024)

He kōrero nā Carl Walrond, i tāngia i te 8 Feb 2005, updated 1 Mar 2015