The Dead Lands- Props (Mau Rākau)

Mehe (Tūrei) displaying the use of patu and traditional clothing

In the film ‘The Dead Lands’ mau rākau, translated as  “to bear a weapon,” is a main aspect in the film. In this blog I will discuss the symbolism of some of the different weapons used in the film,  and the symbolism of the costumes of some of the characters.

As the film is set in the 16th century, the use of the ancient clothing and weaponry in this film is inevitable; and the clothing of each character is symbolic and representative of their social status and rank.

A Māori weapon is seen in almost every scene of the film. Whether it be a taiaha (a long handled wooden weapon), a patu (a paddle shaped short handled wooden, bone or greenstone weapon), or toki (an axe), a weapon is always seen or is being used. This film shows some of the true beauty of Maori culture and the ancient art of Māori weaponry.



The Warrior wearing Dog fur and using two different weapons

An example of the use of Māori weaponry is The Warrior (Lawrence Makoare).  He uses a range of weapons throughout the film, some of which are the toki, the patu and even the taiaha. We see him use the white patu multiple times in the film. In the very first scene of the film, he uses a toki in his left hand and a patu in the right hand. The use of the toki in this scene is symbolic of his former role within his tribe as a carver and builder of whare (houses).  His blood stained white patu not only symbolises his expertise in the art of close combat fighting, but this weapon turns from being a symbol of murder and fear at the beginning of the film, to one of pride and triumph at the end of the film when Hongi claims it in memory of his fighting friend and mentor before heading back to his village after his victory over Wirepa.

Barbara Darragh, the costume designer, displays each character in their own unique way in terms of the use of different garments and accessories.

As the chief of the local tribe from which Hongi originates, his father is one of the only charcters that wears a large feathered cloak. This is because he is the chief of this tribe and it shows his high social rank.  Following his death Hongi takes the cloak as a symbol of his own social rank, and also as a constant reminder of the task before him i.e to seek revenge against those that killed his father.

Wīrepa (Tukaha) and his men

When we see Wīrepa (Te Koha Tukaha) and his men for the first time on screen, we see that they are wearing flax woven maro, a formal apron like piece of clothing that ties around the waist. A maro is a “perhaps the most common and basic traditional Māori garment, and was worn by both men and women” (Te Ara: 2013). The only sinificance of Wīrepa and his mens clothing is that is dyed in a blue colour, apart from that, there is nothing significant about Wirepa’s clothing.

The topuni tauwhainga, or dog skin cloak, worn by The Warrior (Makoare) is symbolic of a chief of high rank, and also of a noble fighting warrior.  As the film progresses we see that The Warrior transforms from being portrayed as a murderous monster to both of these, that is, a chief of high rank and a noble fighting warrior. 

 

 

Referencing:

Awhina Tamarapa and Patricia Wallace. 'Māori clothing and adornment – kākahu Māori - Ngā taonga tuku iho – traditional Māori dress', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated August 22nd 2013. Accessed on 22nd of April, at http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/40978/maro-waist-girdle

Corrigan T, and Patricia White. The Film Experience; An Introduction: Third Edition. Boston, New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2012.