About this item: Kōauau are short flutes usually with three finger holes. Every instrument is regarded as an individual which gets named. The slightly bulging shape of the kōauau represents the tungoungou or case of the casemoths. This shaping is often used as an acknowledgement of the importance of these ‘houses’. This design can also be done to hold a nguru, the koauau or nguru becomes both the lid and the contents of the vessel which holds it.

About Taonga Puoro: In Maori Music traditions musical instruments are members of the families of the Gods. Tunes are named Rangi after the Sky Father to whom they ascend after being sounded and Rhythms  come from the heartbeats of Papa, the Earth Mother. Their children, Hine pu te Hue, Tane, and Tawhiri Matea, their Great uncle Tangaroa and a grandchild, Raukatauri, Goddess of flute music, are most of the ancestors of a wide range of musical instruments. Click here hear to learn the origin story of Maori flutes.

Material: Recycled Matai