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 and all components are lashed together securely with plant fibre cordage. The stone sinker is light brown in colour and is highly polished. The wooden stem is split at its top end and is dark brown in colour. 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

9583 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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18 Images
fish catcher, 1924.95, 9583, Photographed by Denise Baynham, digital, 29 Mar 2018, Cultural Permissions apply Cultural Permissions Apply
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