This beautiful Black Maori Korowai Feather Cloak with Emerald Taniko came out because of a customer request, which we love to get!
Whilst the correct Maori name for it is a kahu huruhuru, or kakahu, they have for many years been called korowai, so we use both terms, at least for now.
The feather cloak is made by a lovely Maori lady of Ngati Porou descent. She blesses each korowai with a karakia. She machine stitches the feathers into the korowai, keeping the cost affordable.
The top of this cloak is finished with a knitted taniko in colours of emerald green, black and white. 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.
Feathers used are white at the top, then black for the rest of the kakahu. You'll see that the black feathers have a jade tinge, similar to that of the native Tui bird.
The inside of the korowai is lined with black fabric.
Dimensions (approx):
Width 41 3/4' (106cm)
Length 43' (110cm)
Wonderful to wear at a wedding, special function, 21st, graduation, or to present as a corporate gift, or to keep as a unique and beautiful piece of Maori art.
To maintain the mana of this beautiful piece of Maori art, please wear the korowai around the shoulders and not under the armpit.
SPECIAL NOTE RE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING : If you are having this shipped internationally, please select Economy Courier or Express Courier only. The item is too valuable to ship by Airmail, which does not carry sufficient insurance.
If we are out of stock at the time you order, allow 2-3 weeks for manufacture.
Purchase the korowai on its own, or in a deluxe black gift box (with clear lid). Perfect for special presentations. (Please note that the gift box photo is a representative one, showing a different korowai, but you will receive the black korowai described above).
Shipped worldwide from New Zealand.
