Category details
Categorywhatu
Alternative termsmahi whatu
SourceMātauranga Māori Thesaurus
Overview
A unique Māori technique of twining; characterized by having two groups of threads – the aho (weft, or horizontal threads) and the whenu (warp, or vertical threads). The threads are usually made from muka (flax fibre). From a basic warp and weft base, the weaver builds a cloak, row by row, in a meticulous process that can take months or years to complete.