Handmade in the Pacific

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Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

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Series exploring traditional artefacts in Australia, Rurutu, New Zealand and Hawaii.

Documentary series which gives viewers a rare and intimate insight into the creative processes and cultural significance of traditional artefacts in Australia, Rurutu, New Zealand and Hawaii.

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Handmade in the Pacific: Taupoo

Alex Brisland

Bevan Crothers

Russell Barnes

Clare Burns

Rob Franz

ClearStory Ltd

Handmade in the Pacific: Series 1: Episode 2: Taupoo

Taupoo

Episode 2

Episode 2: Taupoo

Series 1

BBC Four - Handmade in the Pacific, Series 1, Taupoo

A traditional weaver on the Polynesian island of Rurutu creates an ornate ceremonial hat.

Documentary series. One of the last traditional weavers on the Polynesian island of Rurutu creates a ceremonial 'taupoo', a hat made from pandanus leaves.

Mama is one of the last traditional weavers from the South Seas island of Rurutu, French Polynesia and one of the last to make the 'taupoo', the traditional ceremonial hats woven from dried pandanus tree leaves. 

Taking five weeks to make, these hats were originally introduced to the island by British missionaries in the early 1800s. Now, they're worn to church and given as wedding gifts. But the knowledge of how to make them is dying out. For each hat, 30 or more long pandanus leaves have to be cut down, spliced together, hung, dried, rolled, sorted, dyed and bleached. And that's all before the weaving actually begins. Without a template or stitches or any thread, Mama almost magically weaves the dried leaves into a hat. 

Touching upon the island's Christian history, local myths and legends, and offering a unique sense of this island idyll in a moment of flux, this film is a rare visual treat and a chance to enjoy the last vestiges of an ancient tradition.

Handmade in the Pacific: Series 1

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Handmade in the Pacific

Series 1

Episode 2: Taupoo

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