Tena Koutou, Ko Leilani Kake toku ingoa. No nga Kuki Airani, Tainui me Nga Puhi nui tonu oku Iwi.
Greetings to all, My name is Leilani Kake and I belong to the Cook Islands,Tainui and Nga Puhi people.
Who is this man child in my arms?
He is my ancient Tangaroa, waiting in the sea of Te Kore
for the separation of Ranginui and Papatuanuku,
to emerge,
and stand strong in his whakapapa
Ariki is an experience that invites the viewer to explore an intimate time and space of transition, whakapapa (genealogy) and ritual.
Ritual
My son Andre Kake-Joseph awaits his Haircutting, a Cook Island ritual of letting a boys hair grow until his family decide he is ready for his hair to be cut usually celebrated on a birthday.The ceremony is deeply experienced by his Parents, family members and community.
Whakapapa
Andre’s dual cultural heritage of Cook Island and New Zealand Maori (like myself) is represented through symbolism of Māori cosmology and mythology. The soundtrack is also a Manihiki (northern Cook Islands) church Christian hymn mixed with a Māori karakia (prayer) honoring Māori Gods.
Transition
During the time of filming around his fifth birthday, Andre’s Father and I separated. The experience of Andre’s emotional anguish and change was captured in the process. The transition from turning Five years old (babe to child), two parent household to one parent household and Kōhanga Reo (Kindergarten) to Kura Kaupapa (Primary school) all revealed massive life changing events for my five year old son. This is a work that acknowledges my son’s Mana (personal respect) and his connection to me as a Taonga (treasure/gift).
- supplied by the Artist