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Toki Kohatu HC43


A set of three toki (one toki is now part of our Māori gardening tools)  https://www.handsontauranga.co.nz/products/taputapu-mara-maori-maori-gardening-tools-hc37/

Toki : adze or axe

  • he taputapu tino nui mō ngā Māori o mua- a very important tool for early Māori
  • He pakohe (argillite) te kōhatu- the stone is argillite
  • I whakamahia mō te mahi rākau- used to work wood

1. Type 2A, stone adze made of black argillite. Surface markings show evidence of flaking and bruising techniques on upper side, smooth underside and cutting edge.

2. A type 2A stone adze, quadrangular in shape and very smooth with symmetrical sides. No signs of flaking. There is a chip on the cutting edge lefthand side.

3. Type 2 stone adze speckled marble green serpentine stone (Dolerite) in form with curved cutting edge, very smooth with no sign of flaking. Weight 575grams.

The most important tools for the early Maori were toki.  These stone adze heads were lashed to a wooden handle and used in working wood, including canoe building.This early toki has a well-defined butt/toe end to allow grip for lashing to a handle. The majority were made from basalt or other hard rock, such as adzite. 

Pānuitia ētahi atu kōrero i konei / Read more information here : https://teara.govt.nz/en/kohatu-maori-use-of-stone/page-1

date: 1700

subject area: Māori, Social Science, Technology, The Arts

subject themes: Aotearoa, New Zealand, Māori, Tools

handling collection number: HC43

why not get your hands on these... 

Toki kōhatu HC85

Toki kōhatu HC222

Māhē and pā kāhawai (sinker and fish hook) HC84

Patu Muka HC83

Piupiu HC156

Handling information:
To Handle
Additional information:
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