Taramea, a treasured Māori perfume of Ngāi Tahu from Aciphylla species of Aotearoa New Zealand: a review of Mātauranga Māori and scientific research

Taramea, a treasured Māori perfume of Ngāi Tahu from Aciphylla species of Aotearoa New Zealand: a review of Mātauranga Māori and scientific research

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 t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand Vol. 52; no. 1; pp. 1 - 17
Main Authors: Dobson-Waitere, Aaria, MacIntosh, Robin, Ellison, Matapura F., Smallfield, Bruce M., van Klink, John W.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: New Zealand Taylor & Francis 01-01-2022
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects:
Animal species
Apiaceae
Aroma
Chemical composition
ecology
Exudation
fragrance
Fragrances
Genetics
Indigenous species
Mātauranga Māori
Odour
phytochemistry
Plant morphology
Resins
Review
Taxonomy
fragrance
ecology
Apiaceae
Mātauranga Māori
phytochemistry
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Summary: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.
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Supplemental data for this article can be accessed https://doi.org/10.1080/03036758.2020.1856147
ISSN:0303-6758
1175-8899
1175-8899
DOI:10.1080/03036758.2020.1856147