FASD-CAN Inc Fundraising Effort Paul Gyde has carved bone for over 30 years, and whilst it was once how

he made his living, it is now a hobby he fits in around work and other

interests.

When Paul’s wife, Claire, arrived home from the 5th International FASD

conference wide-eyed and full of ideas he thought, “here we go!”.

Borrowing a fundraising idea from NOFAS, they set about coming up

with a kiwi-ised version of the ‘warrior mom’ pendant. This was to raise

some start up funds for the fledgling concept of a nationwide support

network for FASD.

After researching many designs and their

meanings, they settled on a combined Manaia-

Koru design. The combination of these two

traditional elements has significant meaning

which rang true for the couple raising their

teenage son with FASD.

The Manaia, or bird form, is regarded as a spiritual guardian and means

to ‘give strength, guidance and wisdom to another’. The Koru form is

symbolic of growth and adds the elements of ‘hope, harmony and new

beginnings’.

The importance of the Maori

design, the meaning and the

use of bone all meant that this

project needed Kaumatua

approval and has received the

blessing of Rev. Albie Martin.

.

The bone used is beef. The process of getting bone into the right

condition to carve is reasonably involved. The bone must be boiled for a

long time to ensure it is completely cleaned. It is then sun dried over

several days. This means the bone is naturally whitened. The shapes are

then cut out and the intricate carving begins. The completed carving is

then died in tea to bring out the design work and then sanded with many

grades of wet and dry sandpaper in order to give it a smooth, polished

finish. Each of these Manaia-Koru carvings takes approximately three

hours to make.

Each carving is made with a good deal of heart and Paul’s wish is that

you wear it often, gain strength from its symbolism and share its

meaning.

Photo’s by Jakob Gyde

It is believed that a carving which is worn with respect or given and

received with love, takes on part of the spirit of those who wear or

handle it. In this way it becomes a spiritual link between people spanning

time and distance.

The cost of a bone carving is NZ$55.00

Paul Gyde is located in New Plymouth and can be contacted directly to take

your bone carving order.

P: (06) 7522599

E: gyde4@xtra.co.nz