Story: Maramataka – the lunar calendar
Cold weather in the month of Hongonui (or Hōngongoi, June–July) prompted people to light fires. Fire was generated using a fire plough, pictured here. The kaurima (fire stick) was rubbed against the kaunoti (grooved batten) to make sawdust and heat. When smoke appeared, the sawdust was placed on kindling and blown until the wood ignited.
About this item
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira
Photograph by Dianne Nothcott
Permission of the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira must be obtained before any re-use of this image.