Picture from Koror, Palau
Arriving in Palau, an arcipelago of 500 volcanic islands in the Western Pacific Ocean.
#palau #ephemera #micronesia #ocean #travel #documentary
Picture from Whakatane, New Zealand
It took me some time to find someone wearing a Ta Moko, the permanent marking of the skin topical of Maori culture, but finally at the end of my trip I met Meremaihi (Auntie Bimbo). “Wearing a Ta Moko comes with responsibility. You have to be a role model for your community. When I decided to do it, I didn’t just want to scribble my face but rather find the exact drawings that my ancestors wor. Every day I try my best to ‘normalize’ this manifestation of my culture that still scares so many people.”
#maori #ephemera #tamoko #newzealand #portrait #travel #documentary
Picture from Motiti Island
Leaving Motiti island. From the sky you can see how the land is used by its Maori inhabitants. Few houses, some fields and a lot of natural vegetation. I really wish I could spend more time here.
#maori #ephemera #motitiisland #newzealand #aerial #plane #travel #documentary
Picture from Shengsi Islands
A new episode is available on Youtube (link in bio). This time I’ll tell you more about my trip to Houtouwan, an abandoned village in China.
#china #ephemera #documentary #travel #filmmaker
Picture from Motiti Island
The beautiful smile of Sally Nuku conveys all the peacefulness of the life on Motiti island.
The around 20 Maori of Te Patuwai hapū (sub-tribe) that live on the island give you the impression of being in perfect harmony and communion with this place.
#maori #ephemera #motitiisland #newzealand #portrait #travel #documentary
Picture from Motiti Island
Pat Young, Briton’s uncle, was the speaker of the tangata whenua (hosts) during the powhiri (welcoming ceremony) @fivefootronna and I received on Motiti island.
He spent most of his life on mainland New Zealand but decided to move back to the island when he was 50 years old.
Like Peter, all Te Patuwai keep a strong connection with their homeland and desire to come back here sooner or later.
Picture from Motiti Island
You can’t just walk onto a marae, you need to be welcomed on by one of its members. Plus every marae has its own kawa (protocols) and tikanga (rules). Usually at the conclusion of the welcoming you should hariru (shake hands) and hongi (press noses).
The welcoming I received on Motiti island was even more intense than the one in Rotorua. I think this had to do also with the scenery and the atmosphere of the island.
Picture from Motiti Island
In Whakatane I met Ronna, who introduced me to Briton, a Maori from Motiti.
Motiti is a private island 20km north-east of Tauranga, where members of Te Patuwai sub-tribe live. Together we took a short Cesna flight to the island.
#maori #ephemera #motiti #newzealand #travel #documentary #cesna #aviation
Picture from Taneatua
In this mural in Taneatua is a collaboration between @mrghoete.art and Tame Iti, a Tuhoe artist also know for his activism in Maori protest actions to claim the self-determination of his people.
I tried to meet him but he seems really busy.
#maori #ephemera #tuhoe #newzealand #mural #travel #documentary
Picture from Okere Falls, New Zealand
Before heading North-East I spent the night in Okere Falls near Rotorua.
I’ll try to meet Maori in more rural areas, like the Tuhoe tribe that lives the area of Te Urewera National Park.
#newzealand #ephemera #landscapephotography #waterfalls #travel #documentary