In Māori culture, whales held the significance of being oceanic gifts, believed to be precious offerings washed ashore by Tangaroa, the revered deity of the sea. When a whale washed up onto the shores, Māori would use various parts of the creature for distinct purposes; its flesh as sustenance, blubber as a preservative oil, and the bones and teeth as materials for crafting ornaments and weapons.
Mako (shark) tooth adornments were also highly esteemed and treasured by Māori and often worn from the ear. Sharks play a role in many Māori legends and have been symbolic throughout time of meaning guardianship, trust and protection.
Mako (sharks) are known as powerful, resilient creatures that dominate the oceans. It is thought that by wearing a Mako tooth, or a replica carved from pounamu, you will be spiritually connected to the shark’s energy and take on its characteristics of ferocity, strength and persistence. As with other pounamu adornments, it is also believed that when shark pendants are passed down through whanau (family), the strengths and traits of tūpuna (ancestors) would be passed on through the stone.
In New Zealand, the Rei Puta (whale tooth neck pendant) was fashioned by early settlers and thought to represent wisdom, mana and knowledge. Such as many Māori adornments, the Rei Puta was not only decorative - it had ceremonial significance and was believed to be a talisman connected to Māori mythology.
Whales were not actively hunted by Māori, therefore genuine Rei Puta (whale tooth neck pendants) are rare - but they have been found in some of New Zealand’s earliest archaeological sites. However, imitation Rei Puta were often made from the bones of moa or painstakingly carved into stone - such as pounamu - and have been found throughout New Zealand.
