Hei-tiki
The
hei-tiki is a small ornamental neck pendant of the
Māori. Hei-tiki are usually made of
pounamu (or greenstone) and worn around the neck, and are often incorrectly referred to as
tiki, a term that actually refers to large human figures carved in wood, and, also, the small wooden carvings used to mark sacred places. One theory of the origin of the hei-tiki suggests a connection with Tiki, the first man in Māori legend. Another less romantic theory holds that it served merely for personal adornment. The most valuable hei-tiki are carved from greenstone or pounamu. New Zealand greenstone consists of either nephrite (a type of jade, in Māori: pounamu) or bowenite (Māori: tangiwai). Pounamu is esteemed highly by Māori for its beauty, toughness and great hardness; it is used not only for ornaments such as hei-tiki and ear pendants, but also for carving tools, adzes, and weapons. Named varieties include translucent green
kahurangi, whitish
inanga, semi-transparent
kawakawa, and
tangiwai or bowenite.
From the size and style of traditional examples of hei-tiki it is likely that the stone was first cut in the form of a small adze. The tilted head of the
pitau variety of hei-tiki derives from the properties of the stone - its hardness and great value make it important to minimise the amount of the stone that has to be removed. Creating a hei-tiki with traditional methods is a long, arduous process during which the stone is smoothed by abrasive rubbing; finally, using sticks and water, it is slowly shaped and the holes bored out. After laborious and lengthy polishing, the completed pendant is suspended by a plaited cord and secured by a loop and toggle.
Among the other
tāonga (treasured possessions) used as items of personal adornment are bone carvings in the form of earrings or necklaces. For many Māori the wearing of such items relates to Māori cultural identity. They are also popular with young New Zealanders of all backgrounds for whom the pendants relate to a more generalized sense of New Zealand identity. Several artistic
collectives have been established by Māori tribal groups. These collectives have begun creating and exporting
jewellery (such as bone carved pendants based on traditional fishhooks
hei matau and other
greenstone jewellery) and other artistic items (such as
wood carvings and
textiles). Several
actors who have recently appeared in high-profile movies filmed in New Zealand have come back wearing such jewellery, including
Viggo Mortensen of
The Lord of the Rings fame, took to wearing a
hei matau around his neck. These trends have contributed towards a worldwide interest in traditional Māori culture and arts.
*
maori.info Further information about Hei Tiki, with pictures
* T. R. Hiroa (Sir Peter Buck),
The Coming of the Maori. Second Edition. First Published 1949. Wellington: Whitcombe and Tombs) 1974.
