The Many Uses Of Kete: Carrying Culture And More

Kete are traditional baskets made and used by New Zealand's Māori people. They are woven from the leaves of New Zealand flax, known as harakeke, and have two handles at the top. Kete come in various sizes, but are most commonly found in sizes similar to large handbags. They are used to carry a variety of items, including food, and are also significant in Māori folklore.

Kete are woven baskets made by the Māori people of New Zealand

Kete come in a variety of sizes, from very small baskets used for gifts to larger ones similar in size to a large handbag. The size and shape of a kete are often designed with a specific purpose in mind, such as storing and carrying food or other items. They can also be used for decorative purposes, buried with the placenta following a birth, or used to symbolise Māori culture and heritage.

The creation of kete is an important part of Māori culture and tradition, with specific skills and techniques passed down within families and closely guarded. Each iwi, or tribe, contains a number of hapū (sub-tribes) and whānau (families). The art of kete-weaving is usually passed down through these family lines. The baskets are also significant in Māori folklore, featuring in stories about the god Tāne.

In recent years, kete have experienced a resurgence in New Zealand, with weavers promoting them as a more sustainable alternative to plastic bags. This revival has also seen the inclusion of a kete emoji on the first Māori emoji keyboard, further celebrating and sharing Māori culture.

They are traditionally made from the leaves of New Zealand flax, known as harakeke

Kete are traditional baskets made and used by New Zealand's Māori people. They are traditionally woven from the leaves of New Zealand flax, known as harakeke, and have two handles at the top. The Māori people also use flax fibre (muka) and sedge grass (pingao) to make kete.

New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) is native to New Zealand and Norfolk Island. It is a large, colourful, and spiky plant with sword-like leaves that shoot up from the base. The Māori people use the plant to make a type of linen clothing, ropes, and baskets.

Kete can be of various sizes, but they are most commonly found in sizes similar to large handbags. They are used to carry a variety of items, including food. Kete were also used to bury the placenta following birth or miscarried fetuses following a miscarriage.

Kete whakairo, or "patterned bags," feature intricate geometric patterns and are often used solely for decoration, such as on walls. More everyday baskets are known as kete mahi or simply kete.

The art of weaving kete is traditionally done by women, with specific skills and techniques passed down within families and closely guarded from outsiders. Although the practice of weaving kete declined after colonisation due to the introduction of manufactured containers, it has seen a resurgence in the 20th and 21st centuries, with weavers promoting kete as a more sustainable alternative to plastic bags.

Kete are used to carry a variety of items, including food

Kete are traditional baskets made and used by New Zealand's Māori people. They are woven from the leaves of the New Zealand flax plant, known as harakeke, and typically feature two handles at the top. Kete are often similar in size to large handbags, but they can come in a variety of sizes. They are used to carry a wide range of items, including food, and are sometimes given as gifts.

The Māori people use kete to symbolise knowledge and wisdom. They are also an important part of Māori folklore and tradition. For example, in Māori folklore, the god Tāne collects the stars of the Milky Way in a kete for Ranginui. In another story, Tāne receives three kete of knowledge when he climbs to the highest heaven: a kete of light, a kete of darkness, and a kete of pursuit. These kete are said to have been passed on to the Māori people.

The art of weaving kete is traditionally done by women, with specific skills and techniques passed down within families and closely guarded. The Māori people consider flax to be an important symbol of family bonds and interrelationships. Kete can also be woven from other materials, such as sedge grass, nikau palm leaves, and cabbage tree leaves. Modern designs may incorporate dyed materials and intricate geometric patterns.

In recent years, kete have experienced a resurgence in New Zealand, with weavers promoting them as a more sustainable alternative to plastic bags. Kete are now recognised as symbols of Māori culture, and their design has inspired structures such as the New Zealand Memorial in Canberra, which is meant to evoke the handles of a kete.

They are also used for decorative purposes and as gift containers

Kete are traditional baskets made and used by New Zealand's Māori people. They are woven from the leaves of the New Zealand flax plant, known as harakeke, and typically feature two handles at the top. Kete are often similar in size to large handbags, but they can vary in dimensions. They are also sometimes made from other materials, such as sedge grass or the leaves of the nikau palm and cabbage tree.

Kete are not only valued for their practical uses but also hold cultural and symbolic significance for the Māori people. They are believed to "represent a container of knowledge and wisdom". This belief stems from Māori folklore, in which the god Tāne acquires three kete of knowledge: a kete of light, a kete of darkness, and a kete of pursuit. These kete are then passed on to the Māori people.

The intricate art of weaving kete was traditionally done by women, with specific skills and techniques passed down within families and closely guarded. While the practice declined after colonisation due to the introduction of manufactured containers, it has experienced a resurgence in recent years, with weavers promoting kete as a more sustainable alternative to plastic bags.

Kete are also used for decorative purposes and as gift containers. The most ornate kete, known as kete whakairo or "patterned bags", feature intricate geometric patterns and are often displayed on walls as decorative pieces. On the other hand, small kete are commonly used as gift containers, showcasing the weaver's skill and artistry.

In addition to their functional and aesthetic value, kete play a significant role in Māori rituals and traditions. They are used to bury the placenta following birth or miscarried fetuses following a miscarriage, demonstrating their deep cultural importance.

Kete are symbolic in Māori culture, representing a container of knowledge and wisdom

Kete are traditional baskets made and used by New Zealand's Māori people. They are woven from the leaves of the New Zealand flax plant (called harakeke) and usually have two handles at the top. Kete are often the size of large handbags, but they can vary in size. They are used to carry a variety of items, including food, and can also be used as gift containers or for decorative purposes.

Beyond their practical uses, kete are rich in cultural significance for the Māori people. They are symbolic, representing a container of knowledge and wisdom. This symbolism is deeply rooted in Māori tradition and folklore. In Māori stories, the god Tāne is associated with the acquisition of knowledge through kete. In one narrative, Tāne collects the stars of the Milky Way in a kete for Ranginui. In another tale, Tāne ascends to the highest heaven and receives three kete of knowledge: a kete of light, a kete of darkness, and a kete of pursuit. These kete are believed to have been passed on to the Māori people, embodying their resilience.

The intricate patterns and designs of kete further contribute to their cultural importance. Some kete, known as kete whakairo, feature intricate geometric patterns and are often used solely for decoration. The art of weaving kete, traditionally passed down by women within families, is experiencing a resurgence in New Zealand. Weavers are promoting kete as a more sustainable alternative to plastic bags, reflecting a blend of cultural tradition and modern environmental awareness.

The symbolic nature of kete extends beyond their representation of knowledge and wisdom. In Māori songs and stories, flax, the primary material used in kete weaving, serves as a metaphor for family bonds and interrelationships. This adds another layer of cultural significance to the kete, highlighting the interconnectedness of the natural world and human relationships in Māori culture.

Today, kete continue to be an important part of Māori culture and are used in various contexts. They have been featured in kitchen implements and Kiwiana, and a kete emoji was included on the first Māori emoji keyboard, further integrating this symbol of knowledge and resilience into modern communication.

Frequently asked questions