Taonga Pūoro: The Sounds and Stories of Māori Musical Instruments

Experience the captivating sounds and rich cultural traditions of Taonga Pūoro, the traditional musical instruments of the Māori people of Aotearoa (New Zealand). Join expert carver and cultural practitioner Kalama Fallau for a live presentation and demonstration featuring hand-carved instruments and the stories they carry. Learn about the significance of these sacred instruments, their role in communicating with the spiritual world, and how they have been used in ceremony, storytelling, healing and cultural practice for generations. This engaging program offers a unique opportunity to explore Māori cosmogeny, knowledge, and artistic expression through sound.

About the presenter

Kalama Fallau is a Honolulu-based sculptor and cultural practitioner specializing in the creation of traditional Hawaiian weapons, ceremonial implements, and figures. Seeking to expand his mastery of ancestral tools, Kalama traveled to Aotearoa (New Zealand) to complete an apprenticeship under a master carver, cultivating a profound proficiency in sculpting mere pounamu (Māori greenstone clubs). While in Aotearoa, Kalama’s research expanded into traditional Māori musical instruments, or taonga pūoro (singing treasures). Through his intensive study and practice, he became an active part of the movement to revitalize this musical tradition, crafting exquisite, functional instruments out of bone, wood, and shell.