Feather Cloak (Kahu Huruhuru)

Of all the traditional garments of the Māori, it is the feather cloak which is the most highly prized as a family and personal heirloom. The base of the cloak was made from flax fiber (muka) which had been washed, bleached to almost white and softened. The fibers would then be rolled together until a long yarn was formed, which was then woven into the large rectangle, shaped at the shoulders and hips. Onto this was fastened the feathers, the most prized ones being those of the huia and kiwi (especially the rare white albino kiwi). Sometimes the cloak would be fringed with taniko or white kiwi feathers.

Less prized but certainly more colorful cloaks were made from the feathers of the wood pigeon (white from breast and green from back), kaka or native parrot(red) and tui (blue-black).

Types

• Korowai cloak ornamented with black rolled cords
• Mahiti very fine cloak with tassels of fur from a kuri’s (Polynesian dog introduced to NZ) tail
• Ngore cloak decorated with pompoms
• Paepaeroa Kaitaka cloak with vertical wefts
• Paheke cloak ornamentation of rolling coloured cords
• Patea Kaitaka cloak with wide taniko border along the bottom and narrower ones on each side

1. 

   Tony says:

   December 13, 2010 at 8:52 pm

   What layout theme are you using for this? I like it.