Active Manuka Honey Art - New Zealand Prints and Cards Baby and Child Bone Maori Tattoo Pendants made in NZ Bone Necklaces by Maori carvers Bone Pendant Carvings and Maori Earrings Charms and Charm Bracelets Clothing Footwear and Accessories Cook Islands Polynesia Collection Find It Service Food and Music for Homesick Kiwis ( and foodies worldwide) Gold and Silver Fingernails Home and Garden New Zealand Jewelry Kiwiana Collection Maori Gifts & Collectibles Merino Possum Wool Knitting Yarn and Patterns New Zealand Beer Merchandise New Zealand Books Maps DVDs New Zealand Cards New Zealand Christmas Decorations New Zealand Flag New Zealand Gift Baskets and Boxes New Zealand Magazines New Zealand Paperweights & Snowglobes New Zealand Paua Shell ( Abalone) New Zealand Pet Products New Zealand Skincare & Pharmacy New Zealand Stationery New Zealand Walking Sticks No Jet Lag Pohutukawa Flowers Pukeko and other NZ Birds Retro New Zealand Souvenirs Rugby Gear incl All Blacks Save the Kiwi Collection Sheep Shagger Sheepskin and Wool Slipper Socks Sheepskin Slippers and Boots Silver Fern Special Occasions The Wiggles and Thomas the Tank Engine Toys Tiki Truegrip Possum Leather Golf Glove Tutukaka Coast Gifts Ty Asia Pacific Exclusive Beanie Bears

Click image to enlarge

FR008

This authentic Maori Piupiu, or dance kilt, is made in the traditional way. It is worn by both men and women ( and children) for kapa haka, special occasions, etc.   I'm very excited to be able to offer it to you here, as piupiu are very hard to come by.  The work involved in making them is long and complex, so I am very grateful to the people who have made these available to you.

Piupiu are traditionally made from flax, although native grasses can also be used.  (The ones on offer to you are made from flax).  A sharp shell is used to cut and strip the flax leaf, to soften it and to carve out the areas which will be blackened.  When the flax is immersed for a day in a pool of stagnant mud ( which contains iron oxide), the carved out sections turn black.  The flax is washed and left to dry in the sun.  As the flax dries, it curls into a cylinder.    The leaves are fastened to a plaited top, either before or after drying.

Piupiu are worn as part of the Maori dance costume, nowadays usually worn over a black skirt ( women) or black shorts (men).  The skirt wraps around and the ends of the plaited section are tied.  

The piupiu are made-to-order, which takes 2-4 weeks and we make the piupiu to the waist measurement you require ( please enter your waist size in the Options box above).  If you want a more complex pattern than that shown, the cost will be higher, but it is possible to do.  The piupiu are made by one of the top New Zealand piupiu makers.  Rest assured, your piupiu will be Maori made, authentic, and top quality.

Wear your piupiu with pride, or hang it on the wall as a marvellous, authentic piece of Maori art.

365-day moneyback guarantee  Yes! 365 days. So sit back, relax, you're covered. Learn more.   Click here to receive your monthly newsletter, enter exclusive prize draws, and read more about New Zealand. Shipping time from NZ to USA averages 12 days. For more detailed info, click here. Change Displayed Prices US price AU price UK price NZ$ Prices Euro Price toolbar powered by Conduit Current New Zealand Time: 03/Sep/2010 09:50 User Name: Password: Hey there, check out our Wool Slipper Socks on Youtube! Billy T James Live at Pips CD View Item Details Can''t find it here?  Let Lesley search NZ for you.  Click here for more details.   Shopenzed.com supports the Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre.  Click here to learn how your purchase from the Save the Kiwi Collection will benefit their work       Hi Everyone! We only stock quality goods, but if there is a problem, you're covered by our 365-Day Moneyback Guarantee of satisfaction.