This large Maori Putatara trumpet is proudly Maori made in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.  The carver is of Ngati Kahungungu/ Tu Wharetoa descent.  He is also a graduate of the NZ Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, Rotorua.

The putatara is a Maori musical instrument (taonga puoro) made from a conch or triton shell, with attached carved wooden mouthpiece.  The wooden part is unique to New Zealand, as throughout the Pacific only the shell is used.  It is carved with the Maori design for wind.

It takes a bit of work to master the putatara, but the effort is worth it.  When you do become masterful at it, you can change the sound by moving your hand across the end of the shell.

Maori used putatara for different reasons, including announcing visitors to a marae, or advising of a birth, or summoning people to the marae.  The trumpet can be played to create different sounds and volume, and a particularly haunting sound can be created.

This putatara measures approximately 32.5cm x 12.5cm x 13cm (12 3/4" x 5" x 5 1/8").  The shell is finished with a feather tassel.  The wood is native totara.

Carving, shell size, and the binding colour will vary.

Proudly Maori Made in New Zealand; shipped worldwide.