Bulibasha King of the Gypsies
1996 Nominated

Bulibasha: King of the Gypsies

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ABOUT
THE BOOK

Bulibasha is the title given to the King of the Gypsies, and on the East Coast of New Zealand two patriarchs fight to be proclaimed the king.
Tamihana is the leader of the great Mahana family of shearers and sportsmen and women. Rupeni Poata is his arch enemy. The two families clash constantly, in sport, in cultural contests and, finally, in the Golden Fleece competition to find the greatest shearing gang in New Zealand. Caught in the middle of this struggle is the teenager Simeon, grandson of the patriarch and of his grandmother Ramona, struggling with his own feelings and loyalties as the battles rage on many levels.

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR Witi
Ihimaera

Witi Ihimaera was the first Māori to publish a novel, Tangi, in 1973. He has gone on to become one of New Zealand’s leading writers, exploring Maori stories and history through literature, theatre and film. The first volume of his memoir, Māori Boy, won the Ockham Award for best non-fiction in 2016. He is currently working on the second volume of his memoir and other projects including Flowing Water, a musical drama set in the Waikato during the New Zealand Wars. He is ot Te Whanau a Kai, Te aitanga a Mahaki, rongowhakaata, Tuhoe, Whakatohea and Nagti Oprou descent.

Witi Ihimaera was the first Māori to publish a novel, Tangi, in 1973. He has gone on to become one of New Zealand’s leading writers, exploring Maori stories and history through literature, theatre and film. The first volume of his memoir, Māori Boy, won the Ockham Award for best non-fiction in 2016. He is currently working on the second volume of his memoir and other projects including Flowing Water, a musical drama set in the Waikato during the New Zealand Wars. He is ot Te Whanau a Kai, Te aitanga a Mahaki, rongowhakaata, Tuhoe, Whakatohea and Nagti Oprou descent.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Country
New Zealand
Author
Publisher
Penguin

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