Title / object name Poi awe (percussive device)
| Maker | Role | Date |
| Unknown | weaver | 1800 |
Medium Summary muka (flax fibre), tahuna, dog hair, kiekie, raupö (bulrush), pïngao (golden sand sedge), wool
Materials muka, Kiekie, raupo, dog hair, wool, pingao
| Dimensions |
| Overall | 82 (Height) x 102 (Width) mm |
Classification poi, percussion instruments
Technique warp twining
Registration Number ME000150
Credit LineAcquisition history unknown
A poiis alight, circular ball attached to a cord thatis twirled with the twist of the wrists in combinations of movements, around and against the hands and body. This example is a very rare type woven in muka (flax fibre) with a technique called knotless netting. It is called a poi awe, due to the presence of the dog-hair awe (tassles) attached as decoration.
Poi are used as visual and rhythmic accompaniments to Māori cultural song and dance performances.Performersmight use a single poi or a pair,with either short or long cordage lengths.Traditionally, dried raupō (bullrush) leaves were used as the ball covering, with braided muka for the cords. Today, synthetic materials are used.