Maori Culture Maori Culture

To answer the question of "who wears korowai cloaks?", it is important to clarify what a korowai is.  A korowai is a Maori cloak, finely woven from flax (harakeke), and decorated with tassels known as hukahuka.  Hukahuka were usually made from muka, the fibre extracted from the flax leaves. The muka was often dyed, using natural dyes like mud, then twisted into cords, which were then arranged...

To answer the question of "who wears korowai cloaks?", it is important to clarify what a korowai is.  A korowai is a Maori cloak, finely woven from flax (harakeke), and decorated with tassels known as hukahuka.  Hukahuka were usually made from muka, the fibre extracted from the flax leaves. The muka was often dyed, using natural dyes like mud, then twisted into cords, which were then arranged...

Pounamu (greenstone) is hugely significant in Maori culture, particularly to the Ngai Tahu iwi (tribe) who are the kaitiaki (guardians) of the stone. Found only in the South Island of New Zealand, pounamu is considered a taonga (treasure) that carries great mana (spiritual power), and is intrinsically part of the Ngai Tahu cultural identity.  Ngai Tahu traded greenstone and used it as a...

Pounamu (greenstone) is hugely significant in Maori culture, particularly to the Ngai Tahu iwi (tribe) who are the kaitiaki (guardians) of the stone. Found only in the South Island of New Zealand, pounamu is considered a taonga (treasure) that carries great mana (spiritual power), and is intrinsically part of the Ngai Tahu cultural identity.  Ngai Tahu traded greenstone and used it as a...

Maori have their own mythological fairies, called Patupaiarehe.  These beings inhabit the forests and mountains, and usually only venture out at night or when there is fog or mist to hide them. Being sensitive to sunlight, they are fair-skinned with reddish or light coloured hair, with eye colour of blue or black. Some believe that red-haired Maori are their descendants. Some also believe...

Maori have their own mythological fairies, called Patupaiarehe.  These beings inhabit the forests and mountains, and usually only venture out at night or when there is fog or mist to hide them. Being sensitive to sunlight, they are fair-skinned with reddish or light coloured hair, with eye colour of blue or black. Some believe that red-haired Maori are their descendants. Some also believe...

So, the wearing of greenstone is not restricted to Maori. What is more important is for the wearer to recognise the mana that pounamu holds, and that it is supposed to be handed down through the generations.  Wear it with care and pride.

So, the wearing of greenstone is not restricted to Maori. What is more important is for the wearer to recognise the mana that pounamu holds, and that it is supposed to be handed down through the generations.  Wear it with care and pride.

According to Maori legend, the first haka was performed by a group of Maori women, who tricked a Maori chief (Kae) into smiling at their dance (haka), identifying him as the person their own chief, Tinirau, wanted to kill in revenge for Kae killing the pet whale of Tinirau. The whale was lent to Kae so he could return the whale to his homeland across...

According to Maori legend, the first haka was performed by a group of Maori women, who tricked a Maori chief (Kae) into smiling at their dance (haka), identifying him as the person their own chief, Tinirau, wanted to kill in revenge for Kae killing the pet whale of Tinirau. The whale was lent to Kae so he could return the whale to his homeland across...