Story: Birthdays and wedding anniversaries

21st-birthday pare (2nd of 4)

21st-birthday pare

A carved pare (door lintel) is the Māori equivalent of a 21st-birthday key. The object has traditional significance, but still conveys the idea of passing through a door. In the past, carved keys were more common, but now many carvers prefer to make pare for women or taiaha (a traditional Maori weapon) for men turning 21.

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Private collection, Tutaki whānau

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How to cite this page:

Nancy Swarbrick, 'Birthdays and wedding anniversaries - Birthday rituals', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/38849/21st-birthday-pare (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Nancy Swarbrick, published 5 Sep 2013