Korowai is a traditional handwoven Māori cloak made from flax (muka) fibre with tassel adornment called hukahuka. Some traditional korowai may also include feathers and taniko in the design. Korowai are considered to be of deep spiritual significance (taonga) and a most high symbol of respect, protection, warmth, dignity, and honour. Traditional korowai were worn by chiefs and people respected to be of high status.

Korowai are created skillfully by hand, taking many hours of work and preparation. From the selection of the raw flax to the design of decorative tassels, the traditional process takes many months. The making of traditional Korowai demonstrates a refined skill, grace, dexterity and knowledge that is deeply valued. Great consideration of who and what purpose the Korowai is created for is lovingly intertwined into the design, telling a story of family and history.

This skill is still represented in Māori culture today, and traditional Korowai are still worn by respected chiefs, leaders, and people of high status – to symbolise the deep respect and representation of Māori values, spirituality and history.

Traditional Korowai are highly prized and given the time, skill and mastery used to make them, they are very costly. In other forms of traditional Māori cloak (kahu huruhuru), the extreme rarity of the feathers used means that they are simply irreplaceable and therefore, priceless.

There is greater documented knowledge of the history of Korowai available, including “Whatu Kākahu – Māori Cloaks 2nd Edition“. We encourage you to source this and continue your learning into the history and experiences of Māori culture.

Many Māori today use the blanket term “Korowai” to mean a feathered cloak. Kahu huruhu is the name of the traditional hand woven cloak that is covered with feathers. Kākahu is also used to describe a feather cloak or clothing.

In modern day, these still represent love, protection, warmth, connection and respect for culture, family, and whānau. The principal of bringing together a Kākahu with skill and respect for the wearer and occasion is still the same – however the time, materials and design can vary as much as the artist can.

The materials used in contemporary Korowai / Kākahu varies, as can the use of handmade or machine-made inner materials, feather types, wool, embroidery, tāniko and design. The readiness and availability of these materials means that Kākahu can be prepared and created much faster and is more affordable than a traditional Korowai.

Although the materials and skill used to create our Kākahu are contemporary or modern, making a Kākahu by hand today still requires skill and eye for design and preparation to create a piece that respects the wearer and the occasion.

Protections are in place today that ensure that any feathers, furs or material does not harm the animal, environment or people that the garment is intended for. Traditional use of whale bone for carvings or Huia bird feathers (now extinct) are an example of how contemporary methods of Māori art and design have needed to change over time.

Any person may wear a Kākahu – this is generally worn with pride and symbolises a respect for the inclusion of that persons’ identity and culture in their life. A Māori feather cloak can be a treasured item that is worn today for significant cultural and societal celebrations, Tangi/funerals, weddings, graduations – anything of importance to the wearer.

A whānau may still use a Korowai / Kākahu at a Tangi/Funeral, placed upside down to cover the deceased person’s casket as a sign of respect and dignity, however, this is returned to the family and not buried with the person.

Increasingly, contemporary designer Kākahu and exquisitely designed items have become a much-loved piece that articulates the wearer as discerning in taste, class, and cultural style, while still being uniquely Māori in concept.

Wild Whaea creators, designers and artists are Buffy & Reyhana Sister, Aunt, Mother and Wahine.. We love our culture and our roots. It is here that we experience our strong sense of connection, identity and sense of purpose for our journey in creation and connection. We are proud of who we are and what we do.

In Australia, there are vibrant Māori Polynesian communities across the land who live, work and play in this country. Living here does not mean that we are disconnected from our Source, our culture or our ancestors. We value, respect and show gratitude for the traditional owners and custodians of the land that we walk upon – as we nurture our children and family with their own sense of being and belonging.

Having need of our own – we recognised that the Māori community in Australia need to connect to services like ours and have access to products that resonate within them. It is our honour and pleasure to be able to provide our skills and passion to keep these wonderful people connected with their culture and Māori identity.