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 stone sinker. A long wooden stem is attached to these components at the base and extends upwards in a straight rod. All components are lashed together securely with plant fibre cordage, brown in colour. Extra cordage is left loose. Absent from this example is a hackle that may have been attached to increase the chances of successfully procuring a he‘e.

Accession number: 1924.95 Last Update: 14 Apr 2026
Other Name

Squid lure (English)

Accession Number

1924.95

Accession Date

1924

Other Id

9582 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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fish catcher, 1924.95, 9582, Photographed by Denise Baynham, digital, 29 Mar 2018, Cultural Permissions apply Cultural Permissions Apply
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