Story: Māori clothing and adornment – kākahu Māori

Sealskin fragment from kahu kekeno

This piece of sealskin, found near Te Kūiti, has a double row of stitching holes along three sides, showing that it once formed part of a kahu kekeno, or sealskin cloak. Sealskin was apparently no longer used for clothing after the late 18th century, perhaps because of declining seal populations.

Using this item

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira
Reference: MHE 23.2

Permission of the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira 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 - Adapting to new lands and climate', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/zoomify/40988/sealskin-fragment-from-kahu-kekeno (accessed 25 April 2024)

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