condensed discuss document expanded export feedback print share remove reset document_white enquire_white export_white report_white
discuss document export feedback print share gallery-landscape xml

Te kawaruwaru

human history
  • Other Name

    Shark rattle (English)

  • Description

    Te Kawaruwaru. Shark rattle. This fishing implement is made for the specific purpose of attracting sharks in the water. The kawaruwaru is submerged in the water by the fisherman and rattled to emit sounds to attract the sharks. This kawaruwaru consists of three large cassus reefa shells, each perforated at one edge. A rusty metal wire is threaded through each shell and looped to gather all three together onto a central metal loop.

    The metal wire is connected to a loop of thickly plaited te kora (coconut sennit) incorporated with commercial fibre. A reel of extra fibre is also attached. The shells have extra perforations in the surface which enables water to flow also help to create sound underwater. Two of the cassus shells are orange-yellow in colour, and one is grey on the exterior.

  • Place
  • Accession Number
    1940.3
  • Accession Date
    1940
  • Other Id

    25162.3 (ethnology)

  • Department
Te kawaruwaru, 1940.3, 25162.3, Photographed by Daan… … Read more

Images and documents

Images

Artefact

The development of the Auckland War Memorial Museum online collection is an ongoing process; updates, new images and records are added weekly. In some cases, records have yet to be confirmed by Museum staff, and there could be mistakes or omissions in the information provided.

The gift of curiosity

With unlimited free entry to all paid exhibitions, discounted event tickets and exclusive Member-only events, a Museum Membership is the gift that keeps on giving year-round.

SEE OPTIONS FROM $60

The gift of curiosity