Roimata Toroa in stormy blue Serpentine

This is a stunning roimata pendant carved in Serpentine. Its blended blue swirls and inclusions are stunning.  It makes for a rather spectacular taonga that flickers and moves under the light.  A large and powerful piece. And that creamy edge, it’s all just so gorgeous!  To be honest, the photos do not do the colours any justice.

Roimata Toroa is the tears cried by two sacred albatross that accompanied Pourangahua to Aotearoa. 

Pourangahua was an agriculturist travelling to Aotearoa to grow kumara. The kumara was gifted to him by Ruakapanga, a tohunga and learned scientist.  

Ruakapanga lent Pourangahua two pet albatrosses to accompany him on his journey. He gave him strict instructions on how to care for the birds, and a karakia to give thanksgiving for their safe return. However, in his hurry to see his wife Kaniowai, Pourangahua took a shortcut, ran into a taniwha, forgot the karakia and failed to care for the birds. Consequently, this led to the bird’s grief and eventual demise.

Upon realising that he had dishonoured Ruakapanga, Pourangahua tries to cover his mistake. He belatedly spoke the karakia, but it was too late. The damage was done, the toroa were weak and abused.  They flew back to Ruakapanga. He was furious when he saw the state of his beloved toroa. In his anger, he cursed the kumara with a blight that can wreak havoc to an entire years crop.

This story comes from Tim’s Te Tairawhiti Ngati Porou whakapapa.  

The Roimata Toroa speaks of the importance of following tikanga and respecting the wisdom of those who are here to help us on our journey.  Roimata Toroa also symbolises a deep unabiding sorrow, as that felt by Pourangahua for his mistakes.  Moreover, Roimata Toroa symbolises an unbreakable love, like the love Ruakapanga felt for his taonga toroa.

• One of a kind taonga by Timoti
• Serpentine from Te Tau Ihu
• 92mm length x 50mm max width