Korowai are made to order: order by 4 November for 25 November.
Bone carving

Manaia Porotiti

$30.00 NZD

or 4 × $7.50 with Afterpay

In stock, ready to send

Order by Friday 18 December for delivery in New Zealand by Christmas.

  • Afterpay for New Zealand customers: pay in 4 interest-free instalments at checkout.
  • Shipping across New Zealand, to Australia and worldwide. Costs are shown in your bag before you pay.
  • Māori-owned whānau business.

The meaning

Manaia

The manaia is a guardian figure: a messenger between the earthly and spiritual worlds, said to watch over the one who wears it.

About this piece

Bone Manaia Porotiti. A traditional Maori musical instrument.

Size (mm): 80 H x 35 W. 

The Porotiti is a disc with a cord looping through two holes. It is played by looping the cord around the hands then twirling it a little to start it spinning. By applying alternate pressure then relaxing the cord each time the disc untwines, a soft humming sound is created. Then by carefully blowing gently on its vanes, it starts to sing and create its own songs. It is considered to be a healing disc, played above sleeping babies to break up mucus in blocked noses and ears.

This bone carving is a beautiful piece of Maori jewellery. The carving is double sided so that it increases the volume of the sound. Can be worn around your neck as a pendant. Supplied loose in a plastic bag. Each piece is individually carved so slight variations can occur.

The Manaia is a symbol of protection and acts as a guardian against evil.

Delivery & returns

Shipping options and costs are shown in your bag before checkout. You have 30 days to return damaged, faulty or unwanted items (unused, in original packaging); see our store policies or get in touch.

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