Description
Title: Whakakai Pāua Shaped Earrings
Artist: Wendy Whitehead
Iwi: Ngāti Porou
Description: Pāua shell shaped ear rings. At this time of the year, the constellation Matariki has set over the Western Horizon in order to visit her kuia, Papatūānuku. Matariki and her six daughters are spending their time preparing and adorning their kuia for the new year, making her beautiful. Our tūpuna would adorn themselves with many types of ornaments. Pāua ornaments were highly prized. These earrings are expertly and exquisitely shaped into the Pāua, Abalone, and also echo Waitā and Waipunarangi, two of Matariki’s daughters, as they embellish their tupuna kuia.
Waitā is the star connected to the many kinds of food Māori gather from Tangaroa and Hinemoana, the sea. Waipunarangi is connected to rain. Waipunarangi accompanies her grandmother to the waters – the oceans, lakes, rivers, streams and creeks where she prepares the children of Tangaroa, god of the sea, to feed the people.
Materials: Sterling silver wire, blue coloured copper wire
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