Tangiwai Marama on Hiriwa

Marama is the moon.  All Māori life – planting, harvesting, fishing working, resting, navigating and travelling – revolved (and for many still revolves) around te Marama and his phases.  Marama dictates when the new year begins and gives guidance on what the year ahead may look like.  Marama is essential to the balance of life.

Every iwi has its own stories about Marama.  Tim was brought up with the knowledge that Marama is both male (Marama) and female (Hina).  Just like wahine here on earth, Marama follows a monthly cycle.  Every month Marama is struck with disease and, as she begins to wane, Marama is consumed with the sickness.   When at her weakest Marama bathes in the life-giving water of Tāne.  We witness the waxing Marama as her vitality is being gradually restored.  And so Marama again begins the cycle of death to rebirth, darkness to light.

Hiriwa is silver.  This dot was so elegant it seemed only right to string it on a sterling silver chain. This one is rather a gorgeous wee chain too. In our efforts to care for Papatūānuku and her people we decided a long time ago that we would never buy new silver chains as we do not know under what conditions the silver is mined and proceseed, nor the conditions of the labourers working the chains.  So we scour antique and second hand stores to source our sterling silver chain.

You’ll want to hold this wee gem up to the sunlight and then you’ll really see the magic.  Have a good look at the photos and you can get a glimpse of what lies within this taonga.  But sunlight does its best work. So beautiful.

If you are looking for a unique gift for the marama lover in your life than this is the taonga for you.

• Tangiwai Pounamu from Te Tau Ihu
• Taonga is 25mm diameter.  Chain is approximately 45cm in total length
• 925 Sterling Silver Chain with stamp
• One of a kind taonga by Timoti