Overview
Pounamu is a remarkably tough material. Its great strength comes from the mineral tremolite. In nephrite rock, this mineral has a tightly interwoven crystal structure.
Pounamu’s ability to hold a sharp edge means that it can be shaped into superior cutting tools. Early pounamu tools included toki (adzes) and whao (chisels). After European contact, Māori adopted metal tools. However, pounamu blades continue to be as efficient as those made of metal.
A handful of New Zealand artisans are reviving the ancient practice of making and using pounamu tools. Mastering these skills requires considerable time and determination. As more people develop this knowledge, the admiration for early Māori stone workers grows.
Kei runga rawa te kaha
Kei runga rawa te mārō o te pounamu. I takea mai tōna pai i te manawa whenua e kïia nei he tremolite. Ina kitea i roto i te toka nephrite, he tioata rïraparapa te hanga o tēnei manawa whenua, te tremolite.
Nā te pai o te pounamu ka mau tonu tōna mata koi, nā reira ka hangaia hei taputapu tapahi tino hira. Ko ētahi o ngā taputapu pounamu tuatahi he toki, he whao. Nō te taenga mai o te iwi Pākehā ka huri te iwi Māori ki ngā taputapu maitai. Ahakoa tērā, he rite tonu te tōtika o te ngau o ngā mata pounamu, ki ngā taputapu maitai.
Tērā ētahi kairahurahu taonga torutoru i Aotearoa kei te whakahoki mai i ngā mahi tuku iho, o te kauoro me te whakamahi i ngā taputapu pounamu. He mahi nui te whaiwhai haere i ngā tapuwae o ngā tohunga oro pounamu o mua, mā te manawa-nui anake ka taea. Kei te whānui haere tēnei mōhiotanga i waenga i te iwi, otirā kei te piki haere te mïharo i ēnei rā ki ngā kaihanga taputapu kōhatu o nehe.