This patu aruhe, made from wood, would have been used to pound aruhe, the edible root of the rauaruhe (bracken fern). The root would be dried, steeped in water, roasted, boiled or steamed, and then pounded. The process of pounding would separate the edible flesh from the fibres.
Using this item
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Reference:
WE001665
Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
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