Māori ceremony to launch whales exhibition in US
13 Oct 2008
Washington DC is in for a living experience of Māori culture when a New Zealand exhibition on whales opens on Wednesday (15 October) at the National Geographic Museum.
'Whales Tohorā', a big new travelling exhibition from New Zealand's national museum Te Papa Tongarewa, will make its first stop on a North American tour at the world famous museum.
The official opening, marked by a traditional service led by Māori warriors (mau rākau) and spiritual leaders (tohunga), will take place at dawn at National Geographic Society's headquarters in front of delegations from the society, the museums, and New Zealand's Ambassador to the United States, Roy Ferguson.
140,000 visitors
'Whales Tohorā' attracted over 140,000 visitors during its debut showing in New Zealand earlier this year.
The show's "unique blend of science, storytelling and innovative interactivity was hugely popular with both adults and children in New Zealand," Te Papa's chief executive Seddon Bennington said.
Showcasing amazing and rare specimens from Te Papa's whale collection, one of the largest in the world, the interactive exhibition tells the stories of the whale's importance to cultures in the Pacific, especially Māori. It contains ancient and contemporary whalebone treasures, such as weapons and chiefly adornments.
The focal point will be a nearly 60-foot-long fully articulated sperm whale skeleton, while other life-size and scale models of whales common to the South Pacific will also be on display.
Whale riding
The country's whale riding traditions, most recently depicted in the 2004 film 'Whale Rider', will be revealed through three famous New Zealand legends.
'Whales Tohorā’ also examines the bloody history of whaling in New Zealand and invites visitors to discover the intricacies of whale biology.
Dawn ceremony
Māori warriors, dressed in traditional clothing and carrying taiaha (fighting staffs), will open the dawn ceremony with the sound of a conch. The opening will include karanga (calls of welcome) from kuia (female elders), prayers by tohunga (spiritual leaders), and whaikōrero (speeches) from kaumatua (male elders).
The ceremony acknowledges the treasures' connection to iwi (tribes) and Aotearoa New Zealand, and formally entrusts the care of these treasures to the National Geographic Museum.
Inspiring exhibition
"Presenting an exhibition like this that explores both the scientific and cultural significance of these grand creatures fits perfectly with National Geographic's mission of inspiring people to care about the planet," said National Geographic Museum director Susan Norton.
"We are delighted to be the first venue outside of New Zealand to host 'Whales Tohorā'."
'Whales Tohorā' will be showing at the National Geographic Museum until 18 January, 2009.
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