Bone Carving #4 Manaia (Raurū)

Bone Carving #4 Manaia (Raurū)

This taonga is named Raurū (the son of Toi-Kai-Rākau - 'the wood eater'). It is symbolic of the first navigators who came to Aotearoa before the seven waka we commonly know about (ngā waka e whitu). 

This taonga reminds us that our tūpuna came to Aotearoa much earlier that our history books might describe. This knowledge was passed down through intergenerational stories and whakapapa and is also said to be where the origins of the first wānanga whakairo came from.  

It measures 9.9cm x 3.6cm, is double-sided, and comes with a black adjustable waxed cord (Cord in photo is different and was replaced with a wax cord). 

Kupu: rāuru - spiral