It happens to French tennismen to win matches. They even win tournaments. The proof, last week, at the end of the world, the veteran Richard Gasquet won the Auckland tournament in New Zealand, beating in the final Cameron Norrie. At 36, and when no one was waiting for much of him, the former prodigy therefore offered himself a prestigious title, an incredible trophy ceremony and, finally, a striking souvenir photo.
Lance proud
Here is a lot of things happening. Let’s start with this spear that Richard Gasquet holds. In this case, it is a Taiaha, the traditional weapon of the Maori of New Zealand. Cut into a piece of wood or whale bones, composed of three parts (the arerero, the “tongue”, the upko, the “head”, and the ate, the “liver”), this object, Responsible for symbol, is the prerogative of the greatest Maori warriors. Richard Gasquet can therefore consider himself happy: if he handles his Taiaha as well as his racket, he can do nothing.
Let us delve a little to the right and question ourselves about this language that Richard Gasquet draws, imitating that of the fighter Maori who accompanies him. Why ? Simply because, in Maori culture, the grimaces, or Pukana, are a strong gesture supposed to destabilize the opponent as a prelude to a confrontation. It is for this reason that the hakas, the traditional maori warrior dances, are cheerfully punctuated.
Painting on oneself
To the left of Richard Gasquet, this character with a well -hung tongue shines with his abundant tattoos. This is obviously not a surprise as the tattoo is a Maori passion. Considered both as a magic decoration, language and symbol, this art is even so linked to this culture that it is to the latter that we owe its name to it. Concretely, the term “tattoo” is a derivative of the Tahitian word tatau, meaning “mark” or “strike”.
rare bird
Finally, note that the Maori warrior sports, on the back of the skull, two beautiful feathers. In this case, they come from an Huia Dimorphus, a bird venerated by the Maori, and symbolize both leadership and strength. Their symbolic value is therefore enormous, but not as much as their cash value. Huias having sadly disappeared for over a hundred years (they were observed for the last time in 1907), this ornament became extremely rare and particularly expensive. Some feathers are negotiated even for several thousand euros.