(Re)constructing the kōauau : traditional and modern methods in the making of kōauau rākau : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Social Anthropology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Date
2012
DOI
Open Access Location
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Massey University
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Abstract
Until
recently
written
work
on
the
koauau
has
remained
hidden
within
ethnographic
accounts
and
anthropological
analyses
of
the
nineteenth
and
early
twentieth
century.
Descriptions
regarding
the
traditional
construction
methods
of
the
wooden
koauau,
a
traditional,
short,
open--ended,
tube
flute
played
using
the
oblique
embouchure,
are
often
brief
and
second--hand,
usually
describing
the
object
as
it
is
physically
rather
than
the
process
by
which
it
was
made.
As
yet,
very
little
has
been
done
academically
on
the
process
of
construction:
the
making
of
koauau.
Interest
in
taonga
puoro
(traditional
Maori
musical
instruments)
within
academic
discussion
has
been
increasing
alongside
the
pragmatic
revival
of
a
musical
practice
motivated
by
a
small
group
of
high--profile,
respected
exponents.
By
collecting
oral
tradition
and
combining
ethnographic
evidence
with
structural
knowledge
from
existing
museum
artefacts
for
purposes
of
reconstruction
and
re--enactment,
these
people
have
been
revitalising
and
reviving
the
traditional
practice
of
taonga
puoro.
Situated
within
an
ethnomusicological
framework
of
fieldwork--based
research
this
thesis
incorporates
interviews,
practical
reconstruction,
the
study
of
museum
artefacts,
and
a
thorough
survey
of
ethnography
in
a
comparative
analysis
that
considers
the
possibility,
validity
and
probability
of
different
techniques.
Focussed
specifically
on
traditional
methods,
one
technique
in
particular,
that
of
using
a
hot
coal
to
burn
the
central
bore
that
runs
through
the
length
of
the
shaft
of
the
flute
was
central
to
the
research.
In
total
eighteen
instruments
are
presented
that
were
created
during
the
research
by
methods
that
included
cord
drill,
gouging
of
pith
woods,
‘found
sound’,
tunnels
made
by
moth
grubs,
and
fire.
Description
Keywords
Kōauau, Māori, Music, Musical instruments, Design and construction, New Zealand