The Wood Carver

Jul 15, 2026

Uploaded by Ivy

This document tells the story of Mata, a wood carver from the Trobriand Islands. From a young age, Mata learned the craft of wood carving and now creates various items, often for singsings, with each pattern holding a unique story. The narrative follows Mata as he embarks on creating a large bowl. He ventures into the bush to select a suitable piece of wood, which he then meticulously carves with his axe. To refine the wood's surface, Mata employs a stingray tail, a traditional tool for smoothing. He then applies black paint to the wooden bowl. The process continues with Mata finding small shells, cutting them, and adhering them around the rim of the bowl. Mata expresses pride in his finished work, noting that the pattern on the bowl symbolizes the sea. The story concludes with a question to the reader, inviting them to interpret the narrative embedded within the carved pattern. This story highlights cultural practices, the artistry of traditional crafts, and the storytelling embedded in cultural expressions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages18

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

The Wood Carver Man i Kavim Diwai

English

FAQs

Who is the main character of the story?

The main character is Mata, a wood carver from the Trobriand Islands.

What does Mata carve and for what purpose?

Mata carves many things, including items for singsings, with each pattern telling a story.

How does Mata finish his wooden bowl?

Mata paints the bowl black and then glues small shells around the top.

What does the pattern on Mata's bowl represent?

Mata is proud of his bowl because the pattern tells about the sea.

Jul 15, 2026

Uploaded by Ivy