This beautifully carved Purerehua ( pronounced Poo-re (as in "rear")-re-hoo-ah), is a Maori Musical Wind Instrument. 

The Purerehua is a musical instrument which makes its sound from being twirled vigorously in the air above your head.  The sound varies depending on how fast you twirl it, but the overall sound is one similar to that of insects or birds wings. 

This particular Purerehua is made from native rimu timber.  It has been intricately carved on one side, making it an intriguing musical instrument and an ornamental item of beauty.

Maori traditionally used the Purerehua to not only make sound, but also to call the rains to wet their crops, to bring lizards out of hiding ( the lizards mistakenly thinking there were lots of insects nearby), and at tangi (funerals).

This Rimu Purerehua is approximately 7 3/4" (19.5cm) long and is on a long black cord.  So it's ready for you to try yourself.

The Purerehua is also called a Rangorango because the buzzing sound it makes is similar to that of the blowfly (Rango).  In other countries it might be called a bullroarer.

In the photos is our customer, Marc, from Hawaii, with his new purerehua, pulling a good pukana face.