Korowai - Pounamu

Korowai - Pounamu

Size: 1m x 1m

Contemporary Korowai - Kahu huruhuru Kakahu. The colours of this design were inspired by the natural beauty of Pounamu, from the brown outer skin to the flashes of green where it is river polished.

Māori cloaks are most commonly worn on special occasions, whether a significant hui and coming together of people, or significant graduation, birthday or tangi. The cloaks hold stories of our history or whānau [family] and whakapapa [genealogy]. They’re held in the highest regard and worn with the highest form of respect, prestige, and honor.

Our Korowai are handmade in Auckland by machine stitching feathers onto a lined fabric base. The feather wrap around the front edge to complete the look. A traditional handwoven one takes many weeks to complete and costs significantly more. A modern Korowai offers better durability and more colours. Inspiration for the colour and designs from our local fauna and flora. We use beautiful farmed chicken and rooster feathers, some of which have been dyed to create the amazing colour range available in our Korowai selection. Our Korowai have drawstring ties so you can alter the width to fit the wearer. We try to keep a small stock but you should allow a week for production.

The taniko trim has also been woven from wool in NZ. This design is the Manaia and Wairua (spirit) design. It shows the Manaia with poutama (stairway to heaven) above and below. The Manaia is sitting in the Wharenui (ancestral meeting house) symbolizing the bringing of iwi, whanau, and cultures together.

Description:

The Korowai - Pounamu is a prestigious and stunning handcrafted Māori cloak that embodies the rich cultural heritage and spiritual connection to Aotearoa (New Zealand). Inspired by Pounamu, or greenstone, which is highly revered in Māori culture for its beauty, strength, and sacred qualities, this Korowai represents the enduring power of nature, the land, and the Māori people's deep respect for their environment. Pounamu is seen as a symbol of power, protection, and spiritual significance, making it the perfect theme for this beautiful Korowai.

Made from muka (flax fiber) and feathers, the Korowai - Pounamu incorporates the vibrant green hues associated with Pounamu, offering a visual connection to the precious stone and its role in Māori cultural practices. Handwoven with great skill and precision by Māori artisans, each Korowai is a unique work of art, rich with spiritual meaning. The cloak carries with it the strength, protection, and deep ancestral connections that Pounamu represents, offering both warmth and spiritual protection to the wearer.

Whether worn for ceremonial occasions, as a gift of cultural significance, or displayed as a treasured art piece, the Korowai - Pounamu is a powerful reminder of the deep connection between Māori culture and the natural world, honoring the enduring strength of the land and its people.

Key Points:

• Inspired by Pounamu: The Korowai reflects the sacredness of Pounamu (greenstone), symbolizing strength, protection, and spiritual power.
  
• Handcrafted Mastery: Made from muka (flax fiber) and adorned with feathers, each Korowai is handcrafted by skilled Māori artisans, ensuring the highest quality craftsmanship.
  
• Spiritual Significance: Pounamu is a stone of great spiritual importance, traditionally used to make tools, weapons, and adornments, symbolizing mana (spiritual power) and protection.
  
• Vibrant Green Design: The green hues incorporated into the cloak mirror the colors of Pounamu, creating a visually stunning garment that is deeply connected to nature.
  
• Sustainable Materials: Crafted using natural, eco-friendly materials like flax and feathers, this Korowai aligns with Māori values of respect for the environment and sustainability.
  
• Unique and Cultural: Each Korowai is individually crafted, making every piece one-of-a-kind, with a deep connection to Māori traditions and cultural heritage.
  

Benefits:

• Cultural Connection: The Korowai - Pounamu offers a profound connection to Māori heritage, symbolizing the spiritual power and cultural significance of Pounamu.
  
• Symbol of Protection: Just as Pounamu was historically used to create tools and weapons for protection, this Korowai represents spiritual and physical protection, offering the wearer a sense of security and strength.
  
• Aesthetic Appeal: The rich green color of the Korowai, paired with intricate featherwork, makes it an eye-catching piece that is as beautiful as it is meaningful.
  
• Spiritual Power: Pounamu is regarded as a taonga (treasure) and is believed to carry mana. Wearing the Korowai - Pounamu connects the wearer with this spiritual power.
  
• Sustainability: Crafted from sustainable materials, this Korowai honors the Māori cultural value of environmental stewardship, ensuring that the natural world is respected.
  
• Ideal for Ceremonies and Gifting: The Korowai - Pounamu is perfect for ceremonial occasions, as a cultural gift, or as a treasured heirloom that can be passed down through generations.
  

Why You Should Choose This Korowai:

The Korowai - Pounamu is more than just a garment; it is a profound connection to Māori spirituality, culture, and heritage. Pounamu is deeply revered as a symbol of strength, protection, and mana, and wearing this Korowai allows you to carry that sacred connection with you. The vibrant green color, inspired by the hues of Pounamu, makes this Korowai both visually stunning and spiritually powerful.

Choosing this Korowai means embracing the strength, protection, and deep cultural significance of Pounamu. Whether for ceremonial use, as a meaningful gift, or as a display piece in your home, the Korowai - Pounamu offers a tangible link to the past, a celebration of Māori traditions, and a reminder of the enduring spiritual power that Pounamu represents.

Conclusion:

The Korowai - Pounamu is a magnificent representation of Māori craftsmanship and cultural heritage. Inspired by the sacred Pounamu stone, it embodies strength, protection, and spiritual power. Handcrafted with the utmost respect for tradition, this Korowai is more than just a piece of clothing—it is a spiritual and cultural symbol that connects the wearer to Māori ancestors, traditions, and the natural world.

Whether worn for ceremonies, as a cultural gift, or displayed as a cherished art piece, the Korowai - Pounamu is a powerful reminder of the spiritual significance of Pounamu in Māori culture. It is a timeless symbol of mana, protection, and connection to the land, making it the perfect choice for those who wish to honor their heritage and the beauty of Aotearoa (New Zealand).