New Zealand
Maori  People

Ostrich leg bone, shell
ca. 1980s
Length: 6.25 in; Diameter: 1.25 in
Aerophone – Wind Instrument Proper – Edge-Blown Flute

The kōauau, a cross-blown (transverse) flute, is the most common of the traditional Maori flutes.  They are end blown flutes that were traditionally made from albatross wing bone, moa bone or human bone.  This kōauau, made by Brian Flintoff is of ostrich leg bone.  Most kōauau have three finger holes (wenewene) near the lower end. There is a naming tradition given to these finger holes.  First, they depict Maui Mua, Maui Roto, and Maui Taha.  Likewise, their functioning names are te mea whakangawari (the softener); te mea whakakaha (the strengthener); and mea whakatika (the corrector).  These flutes were used for various occasions, both for entertainment and for ritual purposes, i.e., if a child of the family chanced to be ill, then the instrument was played over him/her and this was to have a beneficial effect. 

Through a special request, this rehu was made by New Zealand Maori master carver Brian Flintoff.  He is author of “Taonga Puoro: Singing Treasurers” and is a celebrated New Zealand carver featured in Donn Salt’s book “Stone, Bone and Jade.”

Resource: “Koauau,” Mervyn McLean / Teurikore Biddle. ‘Groves Dictionary of Musical Instruments.’ 2nd ed., Laurence Libin, Editor in Chief. Oxford University Press. Vol 3, pg 186.