Mophead’s tokotoko was special to Selina Tusitala Marsh. She gave the carver some taonga to be included in the tokotoko. These included a Samoan fue (fly whisk), pounamu and stones.
The fue, which sits on top of the tokotoko and can be removed, was given to Tusitala Marsh as a symbol of “clearing the air of any ill intention and any evil spirits in order that the orator’s message can be heard and received in the hearts of the receiver”.
Two stones were also embedded into the tokotoko, one from her grandfather’s village in Samoa and another from the tombstone of Robert Louis Stevenson.
Burial and grave of Tusitala (Robert Louis Stevenson), 1894, Samoa, by Thomas Andrew. Te Papa (C.001428)
Have a look at the name Robert Louis Stevenson was known by in Samoa, and then look again at Mohead’s name. Very cool!
Activity
Design your own tokotoko. Make it about you. Here are some things to think about:
What colours will you use?
What patterns will you put on it?
What can you use to represent your family, or place? (an animal, a carving, a kowhaiwhai pattern….)
Draw it on paper, or card or wood. Take a photo and send it to admin@talkbooks.nz