![]() ![]() This cape is one of 30 feathered capes and cloaks, varying in form, colour and method of manufacture that Cook collected on his three voyages to the Pacific. The 'o'o bird population numbers began to steeply decline after the arrival of Europeans as the birds' habitats were destroyed and predators and disease were introduced. The birds were caught, some feathers plucked from them and then they were released to maintain the population numbers for future use. The feathers come from the 'i'iwi ('Vestiaria coccinea'), a common red honeyeater, and 'o'o ('Moho nobilis'), a yellow and black honeyeater, presumed extinct. Large cords of olona' fibre at each upper corner were used to tie the cape securely around the wearer's neck. The maker would have started attaching the feathers from the base of the cape and worked upwards towards the neck. The basis for the cape is netted cloth made from the fibre of the olona' shrub, grown in Hawaii for its fibre's strength and lightness, with the shafts of the feathers bent at the end and tied into the olona' netting using a bone needle and thread. The most valuable capes and cloaks were made completely from yellow and red feathers. Hawaiians call the waist-length cape an 'ahu and the ankle-length cloak an 'ahu'ula. The capes and cloaks were used in war to clearly identify the wearer and to protect him from sling stones and other weapons. This may explain why Cook was held in high esteem and presented with such culturally significant gifts.Ĭapes such as this one were made to order for a particular individual and each was patterned with a different geometric design. The similarity of the masts on Cook's ships to the Hawaiian representation of Lono (the god of peace and agriculture), Cook's arrival around harvest time and his white skin may have led to the belief that he was an incarnation of Lono. The cape was one of seven capes and cloaks presented to Cook (1728-79) at his official welcome by Kalaniopu'u (?-1782). Capes and cloaks such as this were only presented to people held in high regard. The time and skill involved in the manufacture of this cape made it greatly valued. Feather works including capes, cloaks (cloaks are full length) and helmets were prized possessions worn by chiefs and their relations, the ali'i (nobility). This feathered cape was highly significant to the Hawaiian people as it was a symbol of rank and status. ![]() It measures 71 cm in length and 140 cm in width. ![]() Large cords of fibre continue at the upper corners to tie the cape. The centre is covered with long twisted tail feathers of red and white tropical birds and black cock feathers. It is made from netted olona' fibre decorated with borders of alternate triangles of red and yellow honeyeater bird feathers. This is a feather cape presented to Captain James Cook by Chief Kalaniopu'u of Hawaii in 1778 during Cook's third voyage of exploration in the Pacific. ![]()
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