Story: Māori clothing and adornment – kākahu Māori

Wood and muka heru (2nd of 3)

Wood and muka heru

This heru (ornamental comb) was made in the early 19th century from 13 individual wooden teeth, carefully bound for most of their length with fine muka (flax fibre). The twining technique is similar to that used to make fish traps.

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Reference: ME000136

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Awhina Tamarapa and Patricia Wallace, 'Māori clothing and adornment – kākahu Māori - Adorning the head', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/object/41015/wood-and-muka-heru (accessed 2 May 2024)

Story by Awhina Tamarapa and Patricia Wallace, published 5 Sep 2013