IT can take three years to make a korowai—a traditional Maori feather cloak.

But, as about 25 local women have learned, an avid weaver only needs a few weeks to master the basic skills required to make one.

For the past two weeks, Fremantle artist and PhD candidate Leonie Mansbridge has opened her house to the local community and hosted workshops for women eager to learn about the korowai.

Mansbridge says the women are mostly of Maori descent and come along to ground their cultural roots.

“It’s spiritual,” says Mansbridge, who proudly describes herself as a “half-caste”. “The essence of it is to come to talk, laugh and sing.”

Maori Christine Smith flew from New Zealand to share her knowledge at the workshops. She says nowadays it is uncommon to wear korowai—a taonga (meaning “treasure”) worn for special events such as birthdays and funerals.

• Keeping Maori culture alive: L-R: Kaye Hudson, Olivia Doran, Ida White and Christine Smith. Photo by Matthew Dwyer

“People are trying to bring back the tradition before it’s lost,” the 61-year-old says.

It is the second time Ms Smith has travelled to Fremantle for the workshops, and she says there might be little need to return.

“They are spreading the knowledge themselves. They’ve picked it up really well and produced really excellent work … saying that nearly makes me cry,” she says, smiling.

“I’m just really grateful to the ladies for inviting me over here.”

A nearby weaver’s lip quivers with emotion. “Now that’s making me sad,” the weaver chimes in.

Other projects on Mansbridge’s to-do list include making Aboriginal kete bags for next year’s NAIDOC week.

by EMMIE DOWLING