MORE MUKA PREP . . .
After the haro process is completed (extracting muka from harakeke leaf), the next step is to miro which is rolling the strands together to form a cord. This is done by splitting the length of muka into two lengthwise and using a rolling motion down the leg to twist each length separately, then a rolling motion up the leg to twist the two twisted lengths together to form a cord. This is the shortened version of how to do it - there is a bit of an art to it and it involves a few other bits and pieces so all in all, lots of practise is needed. It does get easier the more I do, although when in the midst of this process I am wondering why I chose to make something that needed so much muka!
After miro, the muka is washed in water with sunlight soap then hung out to dry. The next step is to patu which means to beat the muka to soften it. Fifty lengths are twisted together in a hank and then soaked in water, then placed on a smooth river stone and beaten with another stone. This is repeated in a "beat and twist" pattern several times then hung out to dry again. What a great feeling to see rows of muka drying in the sun! After this, bunches of muka are put through a process called kamaru, which means to hold with fist in one hand and rotate cords with other hand to crimp them. This finishes off the drying process and muka is now called whitau (prepared muka) and is ready for whatu (finger weaving).
After the haro process is completed (extracting muka from harakeke leaf), the next step is to miro which is rolling the strands together to form a cord. This is done by splitting the length of muka into two lengthwise and using a rolling motion down the leg to twist each length separately, then a rolling motion up the leg to twist the two twisted lengths together to form a cord. This is the shortened version of how to do it - there is a bit of an art to it and it involves a few other bits and pieces so all in all, lots of practise is needed. It does get easier the more I do, although when in the midst of this process I am wondering why I chose to make something that needed so much muka!
After miro, the muka is washed in water with sunlight soap then hung out to dry. The next step is to patu which means to beat the muka to soften it. Fifty lengths are twisted together in a hank and then soaked in water, then placed on a smooth river stone and beaten with another stone. This is repeated in a "beat and twist" pattern several times then hung out to dry again. What a great feeling to see rows of muka drying in the sun! After this, bunches of muka are put through a process called kamaru, which means to hold with fist in one hand and rotate cords with other hand to crimp them. This finishes off the drying process and muka is now called whitau (prepared muka) and is ready for whatu (finger weaving). 