ABSTRACT
Turmeric is a vermilion pigment extracted from the root of a plant with large soft leaves, known generally as Curcuma longa , and allied with the Canna, which it somewhat resembles in appearance. The Tikopia prepare two extracts, one edible, the other used as a colouring material The former is termed tauo , the latter renga , and it is this which is primarily sought. The turmeric plant itself is termed ango. It is cultivated, and comes to maturity in about twelve months, being often planted for the next season when the roots for extraction of pigment are dug out. The process of turmeric extraction consists essentially in grating the roots of the plant, washing and filtering the grated material, decanting the filtrate after it has setded, and baking the residual pigment in wooden cylinders in an earth oven. Incidental to this is the separation of the edible material from the pigment proper.
