Boîte à trésor "waka huia"
Description
wood, shell inlay, missing part
These treasure containers stored a person’s most prized personal possessions, such as pendants “hei-tiki”, feathers for decorating and dressing the hair, hair comb “heru” and other items of personal adornment.
“Waka huia” were imbued with the “tapu” of their owners because the boxes contained personal items that regularly came into contact with the body, particularly the head.
“Waka huia” were designed to be suspended from the low hanging ceiling of the “whare” where their beautifully carved and decorated undersides could be appreciated. The beautiful head, presumably representing an ancestor, also looks down accordingly.
These containers were very valuable and were carefully guarded over the generations. As “taonga”, “waka huia” are often gifted between sub-tribes, families, and individuals to acknowledge relationships, friendships, and other significant social events.