Manaia Feather Resin Wakahuia - Bone

Manaia Feather Resin Wakahuia.

The word Wakahuia ( pronounced wah-car-hoo-ee-ah) comes from the words “waka” meaning container or vessel and “huia” - huia bird ( now extinct).

Huia feathers were traditionally worn as a hair adornment by Maori of high status.

These feathers were considered “tapu” or sacred because of contact with the head of such individuals. Wooden boxes were elaborately hand-carved to hold and protect the feathers as well as other taonga ( treasures).

The boxes and their contents were often given names, and were handed down through families.

They were usually hung from rafters, for safe keeping.

Wakahuia are treasure containers made by Māori.

These treasure containers stored a person’s most prized personal possessions, such as hei-tiki (pendants), feathers for decorating and dressing the hair such as the tail feathers of the huia, heru (hair comb) and other items of personal adornment.

Size Approx 55 H x 190 L 55mm D.