Leho he‘e

human history

Leho he‘e. Squid or octopus lure. The fishing process involved submerging the leho he‘e into the water and shaking it up and down to attract the he‘e (octopus or squid). This leho he‘e is made of several components, namely two brown speckled leho (cowrie shells) perforated and layered together against a conical limestone sinker. A long wooden stem is attached to these components at the base and extends upwards. All components are lashed together securely with plant fibre cordage, brown in colour. Extra cordage is left loose. The stone sinker is light brown with many colour striations and is highly polished. The wooden stem is split at its top end and is dark brown in colour. Extra twine fibre has been used with securing the components together. Absent from this example is a hackle that may have been attached to increase the chances of successfully procuring a he‘e.

Last Update: 14 Apr 2026
Other Name

Squid lure (English)

Accession Date

1915

Other Id

12855 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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fish hook, 12855, Photographed by Denise Baynham, digital, 29 Mar 2018, Cultural Permissions apply Cultural Permissions Apply
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