This beautiful Red and Black Maori Korowai Cape is made from feathers, just like the traditional kahu huruhuru of bygone days. The difference is that this korowai is made using a sewing machine, making the garment affordable and quickly available.
The red cape is bound at the top with a taniko containing colours white, black, and red. It is made by a lovely Maori lady of Ngati Porou descent. She was shown the method of making the korowai by a Northland kuia, and she blesses each korowai with a karakia. Please note that the correct Maori name for it is kahu huruhuru, but many people, including Maori, still call it a korowai.
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.
Below the taniko are rows of white feathers, then the body of the cape has mostly red, with some black, feathers.
The korowai cape measures approximately 106cm x 66cm (41 3/4' x 26').
Perfect for shorter people or those who do not want a full length korowai.
Please note that if we are out of stock at the time you order, allow 2-3 weeks for manufacture.
Shipped worldwide.
A deluxe black gift box is available as an optional extra - perfect if this is a presentation piece. Please note that the photo shown is a representative one - when purchasing this korowai plus box you will receive this korowai in the box.
