Belt/shawl Kakahu

Museum number: UEM182

Material: Bone, unknown fibre

Region and culture: New Zealand - Maori 

Description: Māori shoulder or hip shawl (kakahu). Could possibly be dated to the post-classic Māori period (Te Huringa 1800 - present). The shawl derives from Hokianga, Aotearoa New Zealand. It was woved by using New Zealand flax fiber (Harakeke). This shawl probably belongs to the type kaitaka, and is considered to be one of the most prestigious of the traditional Maori garments. These shawls were, and still is, given as prestigious gifts for individuals and families, to cement meaningful and important relationships and events. This shawls relatively simple vertical pattern (taniko) could indicate a derival from the early 19th century. These patterns could symbolise different stories with different interpretations, based upon region an tribal (iwi) affility.