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There’s a lot of cultural borrowing that happens in the Pacific & specifically Polynesia. And although there is good in lending & sharing knowledge & materials, it also has the negative impact to remove in transaction, the rights & recognition of ownership to the giving culture.
An example of this is the “Tiputa” or the poncho like cloak made mainly of tapa or bark cloth.
Tiputa are specifically from East Polynesia (Tahiti, Rarotonga, Hiva etc.), and were often reserved for royalty or the upper class.
Tiputa are specifically from East Polynesia (Tahiti, Rarotonga, Hiva etc.), and were often reserved for royalty or the upper class.
The famous navigator & high priest Tupaia from Rai’ātea who accompanied James Cook wore a tiputa himself and today it is still worn by the Ariki (Paramount chiefs) and other nobles on these islands, similar to Tupaia.
The arrival of Christianity in Western Polynesia saw the London Missionary Society (based in Tahiti) seek to cover up the nakedness of the native populations there. But as cotton was expensive at the time, sought local inventions to cover up.
This is how the Tiputa was extracted from Tahiti to places like Sāmoa & Niuē. Where tiputa were produced in the Tahitian fashion but were decorated in culture specific designs.
Now I don’t dispute that Sāmoans & Niueans might have grown an affection for Tiputa, and have in the last 2 centuries since the arrival of Europeans in the Pacific now developed traditions of their own around it.
However I think it’s important to acknowledge (re the original tweet) the origins of the borrowing.
Also the name “Tiputa” is also East Polynesian. “Puta” means hole in Cook Islands Māori & refers to the hole your head goes through in the garment.
Also the name “Tiputa” is also East Polynesian. “Puta” means hole in Cook Islands Māori & refers to the hole your head goes through in the garment.
Here’s an example of a Tiputa, New Zealand folks might have seen.
On the Pacific Mission trip a few years ago Winston Peters was presented with one by the Rakahanga-Manihiki people’s. Acknowledging his title as an MP for Aotearoa.
On the Pacific Mission trip a few years ago Winston Peters was presented with one by the Rakahanga-Manihiki people’s. Acknowledging his title as an MP for Aotearoa.
Tiputa today have also grown into a new tradition and they’re now presented during 21st birthdays, Weddings and Graduation ceremonies in the Cook Islands.
Manihiki call the female Tiputa the more feminine = Tifatara. And are weaved instead using rito or coconut fibre.
Manihiki call the female Tiputa the more feminine = Tifatara. And are weaved instead using rito or coconut fibre.
