ABSTRACT

Taramea is the prized resinous exudate obtained from native Aciphylla plants (speargrass) identified as a taonga by Ngāi Tahu Māori in their Treaty of Waitangi tribunal claim Settlement. Ngāi Tahu recognised two types of Aciphylla, the larger was known as taramea and used as a fragrance, while the tap root of the smaller type, called papaī, was eaten but not used as kakara (fragrance). The gum of the taramea is called ‘ware’ or ‘wai-whenua’, and was often spoken as ‘ware-o-te-taramea’. Plants were traditionally tapped in the evening by cutting or using fire. In the morning the exuded resin was gathered and processed. To preserve the aroma it was saturated in hinu-weka (woodhen fat) or the fat of other native bird or animal species (tui, kiore) and worn in a pouch (hei-taramea) close to the body. Taramea was used to dress the hair and rub on the body and became a sought after trade item with northern tribes. Scientific studies on taramea plants include those relating to plant morphology, taxonomy, genetics, ecology and phytochemistry. A resurgence of interest in taramea is supporting further scientific studies to define the chemical composition of this taonga plant.

摘要

Taramea 是一种珍贵的树脂渗出液，从原生Aciphylla植物（speargrass）中获得，被Ngāi Tahu Māori 在他们的怀唐伊条约法庭索赔和解中确定为 taonga。Ngāi Tahu 认出了两种Aciphylla，较大的被称为 taramea 并用作香料，而较小类型的主根称为 papaī，被食用但不用作 kakara（香料）。taramea 的树胶被称为“ware”或“wai-whenua”，通常被称为“ware-o-te-taramea”。传统上在晚上通过切割或使用火来挖掘植物。早晨，收集并处理渗出的树脂。为了保持香气，它在 hinu-weka（木脂）或其他本地鸟类或动物物种（tui、kiore）的脂肪中饱和，并戴在靠近身体的小袋（hei-taramea）中。Taramea被用来装饰头发和摩擦身体，并成为北方部落追捧的贸易项目。对塔拉米亚植物的科学研究包括与植物形态学、分类学、遗传学、生态学和植物化学有关的研究。