Saturday, December 6, 2008

Traditional Food Gathering

Eel Catching, Waihao marae. Nov. 2008. Ajr
Last week when I was down at Waihao Marae, near the coast just south of Waimate, I managed to get this photograph (right) of a traditional Hinaki - or eel pot. These were usually made from mangemange, a climbing vine. The eels would swim into the narrowing ‘tunnel’ of the hinaki and not be able to get out again. Eel – members of the Anguillidae family and known as tuna to Maori – live in streams and lakes and form an important part of traditional Maori diet. The one shown in the left photograph, ended up as part of our lunch – served as a garnish for a very tasty tomato soup.

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