Kaotan ma kabwarabwaraan Tibuta aikai e bon kamatata kakannaton ma tararaoin Te Tibuta iroura ainen Kiribati.
This exhibition honours the significance of tibuta, Kiribati’s national tops, worn by women as markers of identity and pride.
Kaetaeta Watson ao Louisa Humphry MNZM a bwaini aia Tibuta ma te Kakatonga bwa a kaotiia ae bon ngaiia I-Kiribati iaon Aotearoa. Nnaia tai ni ukera rongorongon Te Tibuta nte ririki 2021 ao a kunea bwa bon akea karakin Te Tibuta ae a kunea mairouia I-Kiribati ibukiia I-Kiribati. Bon akea naba rongorongo man taabo nako nnaron Museums ke taabo ni kawakin bwaai ni kawai. Kaotan ma kabwarabwaraan Te Tibuta a reke man aia karaki I-Kiribati tabeman nnaron aia ururing ibukin aia moan tibuta, mairouia tibuia, tinaia, ao aia koraki nako. Aikai karaki bon ma iaon Aotearoa n taabo aika Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Pārāwai Thames, Waikato, Whiritoa, Tauranga, Porirua ao ai bon mai abara ae tangiraki ae Kiribati.
Tibuta aika kam mataku iai bon Tibuta aika a tia ni bwainaki ma te kakatonga irouia tiibu, tiina, naati, ao tibura ataei ao te utu nako. Tibuta aikai a kaota rabakaun te I-Kiribati n ira bibitakin wakin te aonnaba man te roro teuana nakon teuana.
Kaetaeta Watson ao Louisa Humphry, MNZM. Te Korotamnei iroun Sonya Nagels.
Kaetaeta Watson and Louisa Humphry, MNZM, wear their tibuta proudly because it strongly identifies who they are as I-Kiribati in Aotearoa. Their research in 2021 revealed a lack of resources into tibuta by I-Kiribati, for I-Kiribati. There was also very little information found within museum institutions around the world. This exhibition is an attempt to fill this gap by honouring and celebrating the history of tibuta, as remembered, known and told by I-Kiribati diaspora communities from Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Pārāwai Thames, Waikato, Whiritoa, Tauranga, Porirua and from their beloved homeland of Kiribati.
Each tibuta on display carries the legacy of grandmothers, mothers, daughters and granddaughters. They come with narratives around making practices, distinctive styles, gifting and wearing of tibuta for life-affirming moments such as family reunions, village gatherings and engagements. All of the stories shared in this exhibition have been lovingly authored by I-Kiribati, for I-Kiribati.
Kaetaeta Watson and Louisa Humphry, MNZM. Courtesy of photographer Sonya Nagels and Hui Te Ananui A Tangaroa, New Zealand Maritime Museum, 2023.
Check out this great article in ThePost by Justin Wong
https://www.thepost.co.nz/a/culture/350086125/personal-stories-woven-garments
