Jade and Mottled Brown and White Maori Korowai Cape

This beautiful Jade and Mottled Brown and White Korowai Cape is made from feathers, just like the traditional kahu huruhuru of yesteryear. It is a shortened version of one of our most popular kahu huruhuru.

The cape is bound at the top with a taniko containing colours 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.

The korowai cape measures approximately 106cm x 66cm (41 3/4" x 26"). It ties at the front with black cord.

The feathers are mottled brown, then jade, mottled brown, white, mottled brown, jade. This striped effect is very popular.

Perfect for shorter people or those who do not want a full length korowai.

Please note that the correct Maori name for a feather cape is kahu huruhuru, but many people, including Maori, still call it a korowai.

All our korowai are made in New Zealand by a very talented Maori lady, of Ngati Porou descent. She makes them using a sewing machine, making the garment affordable. The technique was shown to her by a Northland kuia, and she blesses each korowai.

Please note that if we are at the time you order, allow 2-3 weeks for manufacture.

Shipped worldwide.