Matau, Bone fish hook
Shared by Te Hikoi Museum
A small matau (bone fish hook). There are two serrations near the bottom and a small barb on the opposite edge. The point is long and curves very slightly. Matau made by Māori are simple, ingenious, and beautifully constructed. The huge variety of hooks represent the many kinds of fish caught here as well as the many techniques used. Hooks such as this one were often attached to lures made from wood or pāua shells and would be dragged behind waka. Fishing was central to Maori life and matau were made from bone, shell, and wood and came in a number of different sizes and shapes. This hook is made from bone - most likely animal such as moa, whale, or kuri (the pacific dog). The central nature of fishing is perhaps reflected in the story of the creation of Aotearoa. In these stories, Te Wai Pounamu (the place of greenstone, the South Island) is often represented as a waka (canoe) with the Māori hero Māui fishing up Te Ika a Māui (the fish of Māui, the North Island), using a hook made from the jawbone of his ancestress Murirangawhenua. Māui was so delighted with his catch that he tossed his fish hook far up into the sky. There it caught and hung, outlined with bright stars. The constellation referred to in the Western world as Scorpio is known to Māori as the Fishhook of Māui.
Ngā whakamārama
Details
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Title
Matau, Bone fish hook
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Maker
Unknown Kaimahi matau (Fishhook maker)
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Date made
1250-1900
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Subject
Fishing, Taoka/Taonga, Māori
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Additional information
organic, animal, bone, l 35 mm x w 6 mm x d 3 mm
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Rights
Attribution - Non-commercial (cc)
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ -
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Location
170-172 Palmerston Street, Riverton, Southland
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Website
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Te Hikoi Museum
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Text adapted with permission from Te Papa and Digital NZ
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