Kahili, feathered staff

Collection of Auckland Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, 12315

Pacific cultures chose particular types of feathers to decorate the body and artefacts, partly for their appearance but sometimes because of the associations and symbolism attributed to certain birds and their behaviour. Many New Guinea peoples make explicit analogies between their own dances and the display of birds-of-paradise. They also believe that wearing eagle feathers will make the wearer successful in obtaining wealth in the same way that the eagle hunts its prey.

Hawaiian

feather/animal material

[wood]/plant material

900mm

20mm

Accessory, Dance

Dance Artefacts

Ceremonial Artefacts

Communication Artefacts

decoration

wand

24 Jun 2026