NEW ZEALAND MAORI NECKLACE
Traditional and Contemporary Designs
"WORN BY WARRIORS"
HEI TIKI KOTIATE
The Hei Tiki Kotiate is a meticulously hand-carved pendant, inspired by traditional Maori Poupou, measuring 77mm in width and 40mm in height. This intricately engraved figure features Paua Shell inlays for the eyes and is depicted in a warrior pose, with its tongue extended—a powerful symbol of strength and determination. The figure is also holding a Kotiate, a traditional Maori weapon, further enhancing its commanding presence.
This pendant is part of a collection that honors the rich cultural heritage of the South Pacific and Polynesia through unique designs. Although it is not an original artifact, it is a carefully crafted reproduction and interpretation, inspired by authentic pieces found in museums worldwide.
The Poupou, or carved ancestral figure, holds a place of great importance in Maori culture. These figures are traditionally found in marae (meeting houses) and serve to represent cultural heroes and ancestors. Poupou are usually carved from wood and are highly decorative, with intricate designs that symbolize the individuals or events they commemorate. These figures play a crucial role in Maori storytelling, historical preservation, and the honoring of ancestors, and are believed to possess spiritual and protective powers.
The Kotiate, a traditional Maori weapon, is similarly revered for its cultural significance. Made from bone or wood, and shaped like a short club, the Kotiate was used in close combat in pre-European times. It is often depicted in Maori art and carvings as a symbol of strength and warrior spirit. Like the Poupou, the Kotiate is believed to have spiritual and protective powers and is treated with deep respect and reverence. Today, it remains an important part of Maori cultural traditions, often featured in cultural performances and ceremonies.
The Hei Tiki Kotiate pendant, while a modern creation, encapsulates these deep-rooted symbols of strength, heritage, and spiritual significance, making it a powerful piece for those who value the cultural and artistic heritage of the Maori people.
Exclusive to Tuwharetoa Bone.
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