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Story: Tangihanga – death customs

Weeping over a deceased chief

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Weeping over a deceased chief

This scene was recorded by George French Angas in 1847. It shows a group of mourners weeping over the tūpāpaku (body) of a local rangatira. The chief's body sits on the porch of the wharenui wrapped in mats.

Using this item

Auckland Art Gallery – Toi o Tāmaki

Reference: 1965/14/5

by George French Angas

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

Rawinia Higgins, Tangihanga – death customs – Understanding tangihanga, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/28773/weeping-over-a-deceased-chief (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Rawinia Higgins, published 3 May 2011.