Maori wood carvings bridge worlds

Maori wood carvings, called whakairo, are more than art; they are spiritual bridges connecting the living to their ancestors. These stylized figures, with exaggerated features like large eyes, embody the mana (spiritual power) of tupuna, or ancestors. Carved by tohunga whakairo using traditional tools and native timbers, they adorn sacred meeting houses, preserving genealogies and cultural identity since pre-European times. Each carving's unique style reflects tribal variations, making them living archives of diverse Maori narratives that continue to inspire contemporary artists worldwide.