This White Korowai Cape with Taranaki Taniko is perfect for a wedding where the bride or groom are from Taranaki, or buy it simply because you want a white cape with a yellow contrast.
The top of this cloak is finished with a knitted taniko tape in colours of white, black, and yellow. 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 is handmade in Auckland, New Zealand, by a lady of Ngati Porou descent. She machine stitches the feathers and taniko, and lines the korowai with black cotton fabric.
The feather korowai (correct name kahu huruhuru but commonly called a korowai ), is made with white feathers.
Measurements are approximately 1m x 50cm (39 1/2' x 20'). Perfect for a shorter person or anyone who does not want a full length korowai.
If you would like a different colour taniko just get in touch.
Shipped worldwide.
NB: If shipping overseas, please select Courier shipping. The korowai is too valuable to ship by Airmail, which is not insured.
Care: white feathers do not like the sun, so please store in acid free tissue paper in a wooden box or a cardboard box, in a dry cupboard. Please make sure you do not have moths in your cupboard, and please regularly check the korowai.
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.
