Article Archive for April 2010
Maori Taniwha, Dire Sea Monster and Powerful Guardian
Taniwha is a mythological creature living in the sea, rivers, pools, swamps and underwater caves. Their habitat was especially located near ominous places. These legendary Maori beings are both perceived as hostile beings as well …
Maori Wood Carving | Whakairo Rakau
Whakairo rakau is the Maori art of wood carving. Whakairo means carving and rakau stands for wood. Whakairo rakau was considered a tapu practice which was traditionally carried out by men. Tapu, in this …
Manaia, Mythological Guardian
Manaia or Te Manaia is a Maori guardian angel. Commonly displayed with a bird’s head, a human body and a fish tail. This mythological guardian is said to be like an invisible aura surrounding and …
Maori Jade Carvings
Maori jade is also called greenstone or pounamu after the Maori word for this type of jade. Maori jade is also called greenstone or pounamu after the Maori word for this type of jade.Maori …
Hei Matau | The Maori Fish Hook
Literally hei matau means ‘fish hook pendant’. Hei is Maori for ‘to wear around the neck’ and matau means ‘fish hook’ or ‘hook’. Back in the days when the Maori tribes were highly dependent on …
Maori Bone Carving Pendants
When I say Maori you will probably think of fierce warriors with facial tattoos who live in tribal communities with their typical wood carved houses. You might also associate the ‘indigenous’ people of New Zealand …
Pounamu: New Zealand Jade or Greenstone
In New Zealand, the ornamental stone jade is called greenstone. This type of jade (nephrite) is also called ‘pounamu‘ after the Maori word for greenstone. Pounamu, which is classified as semi-precious stone, is gathered in …
