Matau

human history

Matau. Fish hook. This is a matau made of metal. 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. This hole would have been created using a vilivili (pump drill). The fakafua (shape) of matau such as this one would be an indication of who made it. Matau were used for makomako fishing and was usually accompanied by many more matau and attached to afo (fishing line).

Accession number: 1970.208 Last Update: 9 Oct 2019
Other Name

Fish hook (English)

Place
Fakaofo/Tokelau Islands/Polynesia/Pacific
Accession Number

1970.208

Accession Date

1970

Other Id

43865 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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Matau, 1970.208, 43865, Cultural Permissions Apply
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