This beautiful Black and Red Maori Feather Cloak is called a Korowai, although the correct Maori name for it is kahu huruhuru.  The predominant colour is Black, with contrasting Red and White.

In pre-European times, korowai cloaks were mostly made from flax fibre (muka), which had been washed, bleached and then softened. The fibres would then be rolled together into a long yarn, and then hand woven between two pegs driven into the ground.

In the late 19th century, bird feathers began to be woven into the flax backing, until eventually korowai were made that were completely covered with feathers. The most prized feathers were from the huia and kiwi, especially the rare white albino kiwi.

Sometimes the cloak would be fringed with taniko weaving, or white kiwi feathers. More colourful cloaks were made from the feathers of the wood pigeon ( white feathers from the breast, green from the back), kaka or native parrot ( red feathers), and tui (blue-black feathers).

Of the few old cloaks that still remain, most are housed in museums. Those in private hands are highly valuable - in 2006 a kiwi feathered cloak sold for over $120,000 at auction in New Zealand.

This beautiful feather cloak is made by a lovely Maori lady of Ngati Porou descent.  She blesses each korowai with a karakia.  The cloak is sewn on a sewing machine, making it affordable.

The top of this cloak is finished with a woven black, red and white taniko tape.  Feathers used are predominantly black, with red and white feathers for contrast.  The black feathers shimmer with the blue/green shades of the New Zealand paua shell.  The inside of the korowai is lined with black fabric. 

Dimensions (approx):

• Width 43" (110cm)
• Length 43" (110cm)

Wonderful to wear at a wedding, special function, 21st, graduation, or to present as a corporate gift, or to keep as a unique and beautiful piece of Maori art.

To maintain the mana of this beautiful piece of Maori art, please wear the korowai around the shoulders and not under the armpit.

SPECIAL NOTE RE SHIPPING: If you are having this shipped internationally, please select Economy Courier or Express Courier only.  The item is too valuable to ship by Airmail, which does not carry sufficient insurance.

Note re availability: if we have just gone out of stock of this item, it will be 2 weeks before we have more.  It pays to email us first to check on availability if your timeline is tight.