Fijian writer Daren Kamali is a poet, writer and musician, creative arts youth worker and mentor. He cofounded the South Auckland Poets Collective in 2008. Daren serves as Heritage Pacific Advisor to Auckland Libraries and he currently works with Na Tolu – The Three; an artist collective formed by himself, Joana Monolagi and Ole Maiava.
His latest publication with Na Tolu Collective is Drau Ni Ulu Tabu: Sacredness of Hair in the Ulumate Project: Sacredness of Human Hair series by Na Tolu. It is based on an old Fijian practice of wig ceremonies over two centuries ago. The completion of a contemporary ulu cavu wig for the project began 25-years ago, with the growth and collection of Daren’s hair since 1997. The publication portrays Fijian costumes and adornments, including the ulu cavu wig made by Joana Monolagi, as well as photographs by Ole Maiava and Daren.
Daren will spend his residency developing a body of poetry for his fourth book of poems.