The fully tattooed Barnet Burns wears a very unlikely version of a Māori chief's costume. Burns gave lectures and performances in Europe for more than 20 years on his experiences as a Pākehā–Māori. He was an English sailor who became a flax trader on the East Coast in the 1830s, married a chief's daughter and fought alongside her tribe. His negotiations between his Māori hosts and his British compatriots made him a significant cultural go-between in the early days of European settlement.
Using this item
National Library of Australia
Reference:
pic-an-10345322-v
Permission of the National Library of Australia must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
Add new comment