Object: Kahu puakarimu (rain cape)
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Title / object name  Kahu puakarimu (rain cape)
Maker  Role  
Unknown  weaver  
Medium Summary  Muka, puakarimu (club moss - Lycopodium), traditional red and black dyes
Materials  plant fibre, muka, dye
Dimensions
  760 (Length) x 1260 (Width) x mm
Overall   x 77 (Length) x 125 (Width/Depth) mm
Overall  1270 (Width) x 775 (Length) mm
Classification  kahu puakarimu, capes, cloaks
Registration Number  ME000769

This exceptionally rare type of cloak is covered in stems of dyed brown and red puakarimu (club moss). It is made in the style of a raincape, with the kaupapa (foundation) woven from muka (processed New Zealand flax fibre), and the vertical threads alternately dyed and natural-coloured.

Raincapes come in many different materials, and are made in a number of different ways. This garment comes from the Taupo region, where the Tuwharetoa people call this type of cloak a kahu pureke.

This cloak is featured in "Whatu Kakahu, Maori Cloaks", edited by Awhina Tamarapa, published by Te Papa Press 2011.

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