The trouble with Tangaroa
“Marquesian Tane”. It did not have male genitals.
Photo provided by Ron Powell’s son Ronald.
THE PRESENT controversy over the de-sexing of the god Tangaroa has brought to light an earlier controversy concerning the display of the Tangaroa’s male appendage.
Ronald Powell, son of Island Craft founder Ron Powell, says there is a reference to this earlier controversy on page 120 of Ian Forbes book “Papa’as in Polynesia” printed in 2003.
Nearly 50 years ago Ron Powell was asked by a Papa’a woman to carve a replica of the God Tangaroa. Powell did so after researching information held by the British Museum and the work of New Zealand Maori scholar Sir Peter Buck.
REFUSED
Powell produced what came to be known as the “Tiki with the Dicky.” The woman was so offended she refused it. It was later sold for a high price.
It was the first known carving of Tangaroa for commercial purposes.
Due to the controversy caused, Powell then produced another carving, its design based on the “Marquesian Tane” as it was known then. It did not have male genitals. (See photo provided by Powell’s son Ronald).
This carving was used as legs for coffee tables, drink glass trays, lamps, book ends, paper weights and souvenirs.
One even stood high and proud above the Island Craft building on Avarua’s main road for at least 30 years, scaring young children who passed by with its pearl shell teeth and eyes that reflected the moonlight.
This particular carving is retired and at the home of Marie Melvin.
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