Taonga in Oceania Museum
September 11, 2008
The final day of the La Neyliere section of the Marist Places Pilgrimage and our retreat ended with the evening meal last night. Spirits were high and Paul Loubaresse had cause to visit the cellar again. Paul’s a kind and generous man who is a French speaker, but there’s some things that don’t seem to require translation.
The previous day, (Wednesday) at the midday meal, which was still in the silence of the retreat, Bernd announced that it has been arranged with the Oceania Museum Association based at La Neyliere, that they would visit the following evening and that Denis O’Brien would speak and present some examples of Maori Taonga to the Museum. To help clarify the situation, Charlie Randle asked of Denis. “Are you a Maori?”
Denis briefly explained, as we were still in “retreat silence” that he was from Irish ancestry, however that while on last years renewal Tom O’Connor was surprised that there were no Maori items in the Museum and that he (Denis) was presenting them at Tom’s request and on behalf of the Maori people, and that ideally while they would present the material themselves, he would be doing it on their behalf.
After the evening meal then on Thursday, Denis O’Brien presented several examples of Maori Taonga to the representatives from the Museum of Oceania. In making the presentation of these Taonga Denis spoke of the importance of the historical contact of the Society not only with Oceania but New Zealand. He highlighted the person of Bishop Pompallier and the work of the first missionaries.
At the conclusion of Denis’ speech we all joined in singing “Mo Maria” a song in Maori, penned by Pompallier to a French tune. Matt Morris, the only member of the group with Maori ancestry, supported Denis by providing the music, which interestingly Marcel Ma’ah later said that he was familiar with, as the Protestants use it in Mebassa, the village next to his.
Among the items Denis presented to the Association were:
- Miniature Korowai (Feathered cloak) Full cloak worn by men and woman of rank at formal occasions.
- Pounamu – Green Stone / Jade Small Taonga (precious items)
- Mere / Patu – wooden club used for fighting
- Photos from various mission places
- A photo of Maori Madonna carved after only two years after Pompallier and the early Marist landed in New Zealand. While only a photo, it is a significant example of an expression of the understanding of the Catholic image of Mother and Child. The original was lost for a number of years and only found again while planning for the visit of John Paul II in 1986. Those visiting New Zealand can view the original which is now on display in Te Papa, the National Museum in Wellington.
In speaking with the Oceania Museum Association representatives, they explained that idea for the museum came from the late Fr P O’Reilly who gathered together items from Marist houses in France as a way of respecting them, keeping them intact and cared for. In fairness to Fr O’Reilly, they said, he did try to get some exhibits from New Zealand too, however the Government of the time had clamped down on taking these sorts of treasures out of the country.
The Museum of Oceania is really somewhat hidden away in La Neyliere, however while hidden, it’s quite a large and a very impressive display. We would strongly recommend anyone visiting here to make an appointment to see it. Of all the small museums that we have seen on our travels so far, this would be the most complete and professionally displayed exhibition space that we’ve encountered.
The evening again ended with another one of nature’s fantastic fireworks displays.
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