Te Puawaitanga staff busy in the Whānau tent at the amazing Te Matatini

 

Wahakura Wānanga 2014

Weaver: Daphne O’Connell (Taua Daph)

In Ōtautahi post earthquake with shortage of housing some Whānau live in overcrowded homes where the practice of co-sleeping with pēpe may be the only option, and may be the only way to maintain warmth.

He mea raranga kia moe maumaru ai tō pēpe

A safe sleeping option for our babies

 

Te Puawaitanga Ki Ōtautahi Trust had the first Wānanga of the series where 19 kaimahi, Whānau, kiritaki (clients) and other interested health professionals came to learn how to make their own wahakura.

        

There is a mental and physical challenge of the weaving task, there is also an appreciation of  the life-promoting potential of each one completed. The atmosphere during the weaving sessions were amazing.

  

Wahakura are traditionally woven sleeping bassinets for young pepe, which enables them to sleep with their parents safely. A wahakura is made using the traditional art of raranga (weaving). Cultural traditions are maintained while providing a protected space for pēpe.

Taua Daph is the Māhita/Kaiako who has graciously agreed to take us through the process, overseeing the harvesting and preparation of the harakeke, the teaching and making the Wahakura.

With tamariki at the Wānanga this allowed for the opportunity to impart these skills and knowledge to the next generation continuing the whakapapa of the raranga

   

A wonderful event, and we look forward to the next Wahakura Wānanga

Please contact Donna at reception if you are interested in attending our next Wahakura Wānanga reception@omww.maori.nz or 0800 66 99 57