Daren Kamali and Joana Monolagi working on the Ulumate Photo: Supplied
Cutting his dreads off marked the start of this project for Fiji-born Daren Kamali.
Working with Joana Monolagi, heritage Fiji artist based in Auckand, Daren collected his hair over a period of 25 years, to eventually create an Ulu cavu, a traditional Fijian headress - a wig.
Listen to the full interview on Voices where Daren Kamali, joined by Ole Maiava and Joana Monolagi talk about the ancient practice and the role museums in revitalizing it.
Joana Monolagi kept his hair with her for about 13 months before weaving it together in the traditional way - with Vau and Magi Magi - hibiscus fibre and coconut coir.
The Ulumate displayed at Auckland Museum Photo: The Ulumate displayed at Auckland Museum
As a performing poet and artist, for Daren, a book seemed to also be a natural output when this project began– photographs and poetry written in connection with handmade masks and the sacredness of human hair across pacific cultures.
With Ole Maiava's images, the pair continue to deep-dive nto the research and revitalizing of the Ulumate wig tradition.
The Ulumate may come back to Auckland Museum but for now Daren and Ole dream of taking it back to Fiji first, bringing it all full circle in many ways.
