TIKI Large wood & Stone

carvings of humanoid forms in Central Eastern Polynesian cultures of the Pacific Ocean

Map of Polynesia

Mythology In Maori culture of New Zealand, Tiki

is the first man created by Tane, god of forests and birds.

Tiki finds the first woman, Marikoriko, in a pond and fathers the first child, a daughter, Hine-ahu-one.

Some legends say that Tiki was a god and using his blood and clay, created the first woman.

In Hawaii, the first man, Kumuhona, was made by the god Kane from a mixture of red earth and saliva. A woman was made from one of his ribs.

In Easter Island , the Moai symbolized the ancestors.

Maori Man retouches painted tattoo on wooden Tiki , New Zealand 1905

Hawaiian Tiki at Honaunau National Historical Park

Tiki Group in Hawaii

Moai Statue, Easter Island

Laser scanning a Moai

Hawaiian Tiki

Contemporary Tiki

Create your own Tiki

Draw an exaggerated face with a small, compact body. It can be male or female.

Draw the same figure from the side and back.

Glue several balsa foam blocks together with Elmers glue. Allow to dry overnight.

Lightly sketch design on balsa blocks with pencil being careful not to carve out design. Design should be on ALL sides.

Carving & Painting Begin gently carving design with

clay knife. Work on all sides. Smooth and round out carving

with emery file and clay knife. Gently brush off all dust with a

clean, dry paint brush. Mix colors of acrylic paint on

shiny news paper ad sheets or in a styrofoam tray. Use only a small amount of paint. Thin paint with water.

Paint Tiki. Allow to dry over night. If desired, gloss with polymer

gloss medium.

Writing your story

Write a 250 word myth about your Tiki.

Include country of origin, history, and an interesting story about what your Tiki does or represents.

Design a cover sheet for your myth.