What is niu and what can it be used for?
What are some highlights from these past few days learning from Kumu Pōhaku?
Fiber Art (2.23-25.2021)
Updated: Feb 25, 2021
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Updated: Feb 25, 2021
What is niu and what can it be used for?
What are some highlights from these past few days learning from Kumu Pōhaku?
Niu is coconut in Hawaiian. The niu is a very important tree within the pacific. Every part if the tree can be used. To make tools, commoditie, food, and instruments. During Kumu Pohaku classs we focused on creating products through weaving the leaves.
Weaving the coconut leaves was actually pretty simple once we got things going. Kumu showed us how to make Hats and Bowls. Remebering the patterns and how to execute them is key. I’m glad I got to learn from Kumu Pohaku and would like to learn more later.
Pohaku is a very knowledgeable Kumu when it comes to weaving and uses of the different parts of the Niu (coconut). Here are a list of things that were made out of the Niu: Food, bowls or cups, rope, Pahu drum, etc.
Niu can be used for many different things. You could survive a very long time stranded using niu. There are so many ways using niu from food to shelter also to making rope. We mainly used it for weaving with uncle pohaku we have learned so many ways to weaving with the parts of the leafs and different ways to weave. I had a lot of fun with kumu pohaku I made me hats and bowls. I would love to do this again and sad kumu pohaku is finish teaching us. I have never really learned to weave cause I havent really been introduced and have the opportunities. But I am still young and willing to continue weaving niu. Overa…
Nui is Coconut. A lot of uses from the coconut tree can start from the trunk and can be used for making canoe or drum..leaves for hats and bowls...coconut can be used as food, drink, and bowl.
I was able to learn a lot from Kumu Pohaku. Learning to weave hats and bowls have been something I've always wanted to learn and so I really gravitated to these teachings. Kumu is so skilled. I have more appreciation for weaving. Thank you so much for this week.