Pounamu

Pounamu is a collective term Māori for several types of hard, resistant nephrite jade and Bowenit that occur in New Zealand. In New Zealand Pounamu English is used as a synonym for " Greenstone ".

The most important species are kawakawa, Kahurangi, inanga and Tangiwai. The first three consist of Nephrite Jade, Tangiwai is a form of Bowenit. In the language of pounamu now known almost exclusively nephrite jade.

Pounamu is found in the form of inconspicuous stones in the rivers, which are difficult to identify to cut without it.

Importance for Māori

Pounamu plays an important role in the culture of the Māori. It is regarded as taonga ( treasure ). It was used to make tools, jewelery and weapons. Especially were adze, Mere ( short legs ), and Hei -tiki (neck pendant ) made ​​. This, it was believed, had their own mana, they were passed on as valuable heirlooms, and often used the occasion as a gift to seal important agreements.

Pounamu is only in the South Island of New Zealand, which in Māori as Te Wai Pounamu ( " The Pounamu - water") or Te Wahi Pounamu ( "place of Pounamue " ) is called. In 1997, the crown of the ownership back to everything on the surface Pounamu found as part of the compensation as a result of the Treaty of Waitangi to the Ngai Tahu iwi.

Jewelry made of Pounamu is popular among New Zealanders and is often used as a gift for visitors. However, the often sold in souvenir shops jewelry made of cheaper Asian Jade is made.