Matau

Matau. One-piece fish hook. This is a matau made from a metal nail. The hook is thin and curved so that the point is facing upward. The hook is also barbed with an extra point near the end of the hook. At the other end of the hook is a small hole (mata). The fakafua (shape) of matau such as this one would be an indication of who made it. Matau were used for makomako (deep sea) fishing and was usually accompanied by many more matau and attached to afo (fishing line).

Other Name

Fish hook (English)

Place

Atafu/Tokelau Islands/Polynesia/Pacific

Accession Number

1998.13.5

Accession Date

12 May 1998

Other Id

55485 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific