Speckled Roimata

A cute wee speckled Roimata pendant in Kawakawa pounamu.  Roimata Toroa is the tears cried by two sacred albatross that accompanied Pourangahua to Aotearoa.

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.

Pourangahua was an agriculturist travelling to Aotearoa to grow kumara. The kumara were 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
• Kawakawa pounamu from Te Tau Ihu
• 58mm length x 28mm width