INANGA POUNAMU REI NIHO
NZD $299.00 ($260.00 EX GST)
From New Zealand's Te wai pounamu (South Island) Nelson region. Inanga pounamu Rei Niho. 7cm length x 3.5cm width.
Specifications
Specifications: 7cm length x 3.5cm width.
Care
Pounamu is harder than steel, however it is still vulnerable to shock and impact. So don’t drop it! (Na, kidding, but really, don’t drop it!) Pounamu will absorb your natural body oils, so doesn’t require any special cleaning products. Sometimes when we go through emotional trauma, we may feel our Pounamu taonga requires a ‘cleanse’. This can be done simply through wai (water). Nylon can be wet with no issues, it is waxed so it remains water resistant. We recommend keeping an eye on your cord! Its the holder of your taonga (treasure). Lifespan depends on the individual wearer. Over time the wax will wear off. You can re-wax it by running the cord through plain uncoloured candle wax. Chlorine from pools will speed up the deterioration of nylon over time.
Rei Niho
The Rei Niho is a symbolic representation of the traditional whale tooth pendants that were adorned by Māori chiefs and individuals of high rank in the early Māori society. Originally crafted from the scarce taonga whale species, these pendants later began to be intricately carved from materials like Pounamu to highlight the mana (power) of the Tohorā (whale). The form of the Rei Niho symbolises the deep bond between humans and our surroundings, emphasising the interdependence of all living beings. Over time, Rei Niho has come to embody the qualities of kaitiakitanga, which encompass guardianship, strength, perception, and leadership.
