item details
Overview
A poutokomanawa is the first of three upright posts that support the tāhuhu (ridge pole) of a large whare tīpuna (ancestral house) or whare rūnanga (tribal council house). Poutokomanawa provide structural stability and support the roof.
A carved ancestor
Poutokomanawa usually have a carved representation of a significant tīpuna (ancestor) of the tribe at their base, facing the entrance to the house. Most poutokomanawa in museum collections appear as free-standing carved figures because they were originally sawn from the main pole by collectors.
Details
This poutokomanawa features a male figure with a long slender body, a well-shaped tattooed face, and pāua (large New Zealand abalone with blue-green inner shell) shell inlay eyes. He is dark red-brown in colour and has his hair in a topknot.