Post #690353 by tikilongbeach on Fri, Aug 16, 2013 8:10 AM

On 2013-08-11 14:05, Bay Park Buzzy wrote:
This week's stuff

On 2013-08-11 15:08, MadDogMike wrote:
Buzz, what the hell is a food funnel?

Sorry, I thought everyone was familiar with Maori feeding funnels, so I figured it needed no explanation. Here's some info that I found on facebook about them:

"Formal and Contextual Analysis:
The funnel was created to allow the high ranking Maori Chiefs to be fed pureed food while they were getting the painful tattoo on their face that took a very long time to be completed. This was due to the deep scaring and taboos of the tattooing process. The funnel allowed them to eat while recieving the tattoo but not interupt the the grueling process. The funnel which was functional was also art since the Maori had artistic traditions that were part of creating the intricate designs on the wooden funnel. The meaning of the funnel is that of power since it was used during the process of giving the tattoo to the high ranking chief. This was a piece of artwork that was created for the purpose of being used and not for display."

Buzzy Out!

[ Edited by: Bay Park Buzzy 2013-08-11 16:36 ]

The chiefs and higher ups weren't allowed to touch their own food. I didn't know about the feeding funnels, but I knew that is why cannibal forks were used. Very cool piece. I have 2 cannibal forks.
Buzzy, did you see this article regarding New Zealand antiquities?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/culture/7037006/National-treasures-protected-by-arcane-law