In this episode 2 of Oro Rua’s season 2, Libby Gray explores the spiritual practices of Komako Silver, Ngāti Pakahi, Ngā Puhi and her unique approach to her Taonga Pūoro practice. Influenced by a spirituality based up bringing Komako talks to her introduction to taonga pūoro through the growing of hue and connection to Atua Māori and how the spiritual belief systems of other cultures has played a huge part in her practice. E te hunga whakarongo, me are taringa mai.
Komako Silver speaks with Libby Gray
Komako Silver uses film to give a voice to indigenous heirlooms and produced a short film released in 2017 called ‘Puoro‘.
“Puoro is a film about the revival of our taonga puoro through the story of Jerome Kavanagh. And I really wanted to look at how a Māori living in the world today is using our ancient practices of taonga puoro and how his journey is going in the contemporary world.”
She says there are many topics weaved into the film with health being one of the key themes.
Komako wants rangatahi to embrace puoro as much as kapa haka.
“I’m interested in our ceremonial practises outside of just pōwhiri and kapa haka, more interested in some of these other ceremonies that aren’t highlighted as much in our Māori culture and that being the practise of puoro.”
She says there’s a need for the voice of indigenous women to be heard.
“I really want to encourage more wahine native sisters around the world to share their stories through film or theatre and just needing more wahine perspective out there but particularly indigenous wahine perspective and media being such a powerful tool so I thought this is a good way to share my voice with the world.”
