Sharks’ teeth form a serrated blade on the māripi (shark-tooth knife). In tradition, Ao-kehu, a taniwha slayer, climbed into a hollowed log, to be swallowed by the taniwha in the Whanganui River known as Tūtaeporoporo. He used two māripi to cut his way out, killing the taniwha in the process.
Using this item
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Reference:
MA_I.018357
Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
Add new comment