Maori Korowai Cape - From the Maunga to the Moana

This Maori Korowai Cape, proper name kahu huruhuru, has been made to represent "From the Maunga to the Moana" - from the mountain to the sea.

The green feathers represent the maunga, the mountain.
The light tan feathers represent the sandy beach.
And the blue feathers represent the moana, the sea.

The cape measures approximately 66cm long, is lined, and has a green, white and black taniko at the top.  

The taniko design represents manaia and wairua. Te Manaia is a bird like figure that has supernatural powers and is a spiritual guardian. Te Manaia has the head of a bird, body of a man, and the tail of a fish, representing the balance between water, earth and sky. Maori regard Te Manaia as the unseen light surrounding each of us. You can liken it to a bird sitting on your shoulder as a guardian guiding your spirit.

The rest of the taniko is in a poutama (stairway to heaven) design. The poutama design symbolises a climb made by Tanenui-a-rangi, who climbed to the heavens to receive 3 baskets of knowledge and 2 stones or whatukura (of knowledge and mana) from the supreme being, Io. The series of steps denote the steps of progress and advancement through education. From this will emerge rangatira (chiefs and leaders of the future). In the middle of the poutama design is a V meeting with another V. That represents our ancestral meeting house, the Wharenui. It symbolises the gathering and bringing together of all whanau, iwi, and cultures.

The cape is proudly Maori made.  

Made in New Zealand, and shipped worldwide.