Heitiki or TIKI
The Heitiki is a small, carved ornament, usually of greenstone, worn suspended
from the neck. Sometimes it is referred to as a Tiki. Tiki are,
in actual fact the much larger human figures carved in wood guarding the entrance
to a Māori pa and, also, the smaller wooden carvings used to mark as a wahi tapu or a scared
place.
The Heitiki origins are obscure. Elsdon Best (1924) says that the first Heitiki was made for Hina-te-iwaiwa, the Māori Moon Goddess and patroness of women. It is regarded as sacred, and the most widely held theory claims that it represents the human embryo, especially those of still-born children. These are considered to be particularly powerful spirits, owing to their having been cheated of life.
Another version suggests that the Heitiki is connected with Tiki, the Māori god who was responsible for the creation of life or who was the first human being. In both explanations the Heitiki is clearly a fertility symbol. Finally there is a lot of evidencewhich suggests that it was worn merely for personal adornment.
The most valuable Heitiki are those carved from greenstone by the ancient craftsmen, although bone, wood, and whale ivory were also used. From the size and style it is thought that the greenstone was first cut to the shape of a small adze. It is also possible that Heitiki were a by-product of adze making, being fashioned from the larger chips.
Shaping the greenstone with primitive tools was a laborious task involving the use of stone, sand, and sticks, The stone was gradually smoothed by abrasive rubbing; then, with sticks and water, it was slowly shaped and the holes bored. Polishing was effected by rubbing it against wood, bark, and, finally, the skin. The completed Heitiki was suspended by a plaited cord and secured by a loop and toggle. In earlier specimens pieces of paua shell were in laid for eyes.
The “tikis” sold as souvenirs are, if of greenstone, produced with the aid of modern grinding and polishing machines; the cheaper examples are either ceramics or mass-produced from green plastic.
In olden days the Heitiki was the most prized of greenstone neck ornaments. Within a broad traditional pattern it showed many individual variations. The wry-necked form was sometimes called pitau, while the term tikipopohe was usually applied to badly made specimens.
by Bernard John Foster, M.A., Research Officer, Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington.
The
Māori, Best, E. (1924)
The Māori Heitiki – Greenstone Souvenir of New Zealand, The Leon
Studios, Auckland (n.d.).
