Story: Māori clothing and adornment – kākahu Māori

Women's hairstyles, around 1827

Women's hairstyles, around 1827

This 1837 lithograph is based on drawings made by artist Augustus Earle during his 1827–28 journey around the northern North Island. It shows two women aged about 25 and a young girl of about 13, one of the slaves of Amoko, the woman on the left. The hair of both women shows the influence of European styles such as the use of red ribbon. The young slave, whose name is shown as Hepee, has no hair adornments, indicating her lower status. The women are wearing necklaces and ribbons at their ears, probably signs of increasing trade with incoming American and European ships.

Using this item

National Library of Australia, Rex Nan Kivell Collection
Reference: nla.pic-an7567607
Lithograph by Augustus Earle

Permission of the National Library of Australia must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Awhina Tamarapa and Patricia Wallace, 'Māori clothing and adornment – kākahu Māori - Hairstyles', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/41010/womens-hairstyles-around-1827 (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Awhina Tamarapa and Patricia Wallace, published 5 Sep 2013