Kumaras – New Zealand Sweet Potatoes

Brief discussion of kumara growing in NZ by Maori, gardening in the ancient Maori way, and the re-establishment of the ancient Rekamarauroa kumara strain.

When Maori first migrated across the Pacific to New Zealand a thousand years ago, they brought with them over 60 varieties of kumara (sweet potato).Today commercialism has meant a concentrated cultivation of around six popular varieties of the kumara.

Rekamarauroa Kumara – Ancient Strain Re-cultivated

One extended Maori family in Northern New Zealand have worked hard to uncover the old ways of growing kumara, despite the original seed having been lost over the centuries. They are now growing rekamarauroa kumara, an ancient stock likely to have been brought with the first waka, Tinana, 20 generations ago.

Along with the loss of seed for these old varieties, a significant loss of knowledge has occurred simultaneously. For Maori, gardening cycles, as well as seed, contain history. Kumara histories were retained through songs and prayer, and battles have been pitched over the starchy sweet root vegetable.

With the re-establishment of the rekamarauroa variety, Maori associated with this strain of kumara have also brought back to life significant parts of their heritage.

 

Gardening in the Way of Maori Ancestors

The process was begun with Rueben Taipari-Porter who learned from respected Maori elders (kaumatua) what they could remember of both kumara history and gardening methods. At first reluctant in the face of modern gardening technology, eventually Kaumatua proffered what information they remembered. Tohunga (Maori expert practitioners) offered their advice and knowledge while pakeha (white NZrs) provided much in the way of modern organic gardening methodology.

The rekamarauroa kumara is now grown by Maori organic gardeners in a very similar fashion to the centuries old traditions of their ancestors, including the observation of the natural rhythms of the lunar cycle. Maori share in common with Celtic and Aztec growing traditions, the search in the environment for solutions to problems, as opposed to bending the environment to their own designs.

 

Ancient Maori Gardening Systems

It’s commonly accepted practice amongst non-specialist growers to plant their seed and then wait to see how it goes. Early Maori were more precise and worked within standards and organised systems. These modern Maori kumara growers have incorporated what is remembered of those same systems and standards as well as blending with their own knowledge, that of modern organic gardening technology. The organisation of their gardens, of the planting, harvesting, etc., is planned to the day, and in some cases to the hour.

Matariki

New Year on the Maori calendar, Matariki, which falls in June, was the sign. The pataka (storage hut) needed to be full, and the preserves done. If it wasn’t, your organisation wasn’t up to par and that could be detrimental in terms of keeping the tribe fed in ancient times. Matariki was the time to begin planning and making preparations for spring. A time for sharpening tools, checking seed quality, choosing the best.

Now established again after their demise for close to a hundred years, Rekamarauroa kumara represent a culture as much as they do food.

©Theresa Sjoquist