He Aho Whānau – The Thread of Family
Some taonga carry not just the beauty of the stone but also the weight of deep familial connections. This set of three taonga, named He Aho Whānau, was created from a single block of Pounamu gifted to my customer by his father, who has since passed. The stone was already precious, filled with memories and deep meaning, making it an honour to carve.
When the stone first arrived, it was remarkable even in its raw state. You can watch a video of what it looked like before the carving process began. Together, we planned to transform it into something wearable, preserving its essence and deepening its connection to his whānau and his late father.
A Toki for the customer, representing strength, resilience, and the enduring legacy of his father. The Toki features four notches, each symbolising a special member of his immediate whānau—his wife, son, and two daughters. This detail makes the Toki not only a connection to his father but also a way to carry his own whānau with him every day.
Two free-form Roimata pendants for his daughters. The Roimata shape is a powerful symbol of aroha (love) and connection, with its elongated form often representing the flow of water, tears, or emotion. These pendants extend the connection of this special Pounamu to the next generation, carrying the mana of their tīpuna forward.
The name He Aho Whānau means The Thread of Family, symbolising the unbroken bond of whakapapa that ties generations together. The Toki, with its connection to the past and present, and the Roimata, extending the bond into the future, form a unified story of family, love, and legacy.
Transforming a Pounamu with such personal significance into taonga for a whānau is always a deeply meaningful process. This project is a beautiful example of how Pounamu can carry stories, memories, and connections into the next chapter of life.
I hope these taonga continue to strengthen the wearer’s connection to their whānau and their tīpuna for years to come.
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