Hei matau: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Ornamental Māori fish-hook, for luck}} |
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{{Use New Zealand English|date=August 2024}} |
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[[Image:Hey matey 001.jpg|thumb|A typical design of a [[Māori people|Māori]] hei matau]] |
[[Image:Hey matey 001.jpg|thumb|A typical design of a [[Māori people|Māori]] hei matau]] |
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A '''''hei matau''''' is a [[bone]] or [[Pounamu|greenstone]] carving in the shape of a highly stylised [[fish hook]] |
A '''''hei matau''''' is a [[bone]] or [[Pounamu|greenstone]] carving in the shape of a highly stylised [[fish hook]]. They represent good luck and safe travel across water.<ref>[http://boneart.co.nz/meanings.htm Some Basic Design Elements & Their Meanings]</ref> |
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They represent good luck and safe travel across water.<ref>[http://boneart.co.nz/meanings.htm Some Basic Design Elements & Their Meanings]</ref> |
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==Meaning== |
==Meaning== |
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The fish-hook shape of the ''hei matau'' means to know, which holds that the [[North Island]] of [[New Zealand]] was once a huge fish that was caught by the great mariner [[Māui (Māori mythology)| |
The fish-hook shape of the ''hei matau'' means to know, which holds that the [[North Island]] of [[New Zealand]] was once a huge fish that was caught by the great mariner [[Māui (Māori mythology)|Māui]] using only a woven line and a hook made from the jawbone of his grandmother.<ref>[http://www.maori.info/maori_history.htm Te Matau a Maui]</ref> Legend holds that the shape of [[Hawkes Bay]] is that of the hei matau, which caught in the fish's side on the beach. The Māori name for the North island, ''Te Ika a Māui'' ("The fish of Māui") reflects this legend. |
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For the Māori, the ''hei matau'' is [[taonga]] (a cultural treasure). It represents not only their land, but also prosperity, fertility and safe passage over water. They also denote the importance of fishing to Māori, and their relationship to [[Tangaroa]] god of the sea. |
For the Māori, the ''hei matau'' is [[taonga]] (a cultural treasure). It represents not only their land, but also prosperity, fertility, and safe passage over water. They also denote the importance of fishing to Māori, and their relationship to [[Tangaroa]] god of the sea. |
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==Materials and methods== |
==Materials and methods== |
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[[File:Pounamu pendant.jpg|thumb|upright|Modern hei matau, made of [[pounamu]]]] |
[[File:Pounamu pendant.jpg|thumb|upright|Modern hei matau, made of [[pounamu]]]] |
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Traditionally, ''matau'', or fishhooks, were carved from bone, ivory, shell, wood, or [[pounamu]]; composite hooks were also common.<ref name=tradhooks>{{Cite journal| volume = 23| pages = 1–8| last = Paulin| first = Chris| title = The traditional Māori |
Traditionally, ''matau'', or fishhooks, were carved from bone, ivory, shell, wood, or [[pounamu]]; composite hooks were also common.<ref name=tradhooks>{{Cite journal| volume = 23| pages = 1–8| last = Paulin| first = Chris| title = The traditional Māori 'internal-barb' fishhook| journal = Tuhinga: Records of the Museum of New Zealand te Papa Tongarewa| accessdate = 2016-09-07| date = 2012| url = http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/Publication/3731}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| last = Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa| title = Traditional Maori fish hooks and trolling lures| accessdate = 2016-09-07| date = 2006| url = http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/Topic/1467}}</ref> They came in several different forms. There are multiple apparently functional matau forms, but the functions of some are not known.<ref name=tradhooks/><ref>{{Cite journal| volume = 20| pages = 15–21| last = Paulin| first = Chris| title = Porotaka hei matau - a traditional Maori tool?| journal = Tuhinga: Records of the Museum of New Zealand te Papa Tongarewa| accessdate = 2016-09-07| date = 2009| url = http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/Publication/3154}}</ref> Some were plain and utilitarian; others highly ornate. They were worn as pendants for safekeeping, and were often treasured family heirlooms. |
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Today, their main use is ornamental and they are commonly worn around the neck not only by Māori, but also by other New Zealanders who identify with the ''hei matau'' as a symbol of New Zealand. They are also popular items on the tourist market. Many modern pendants are not functional fish hooks. |
Today, their main use is ornamental and they are commonly worn around the neck not only by Māori, but also by other New Zealanders who identify with the ''hei matau'' as a symbol of New Zealand. They are also popular items on the tourist market. Many modern pendants are not functional fish hooks. |
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<gallery widths="120px" heights="200px"> |
<gallery widths="120px" heights="200px"> |
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File:MAP Expo Maori Hameçon 13012012 4.jpg|Bone matau, a functional [[circle fishhook]] |
File:MAP Expo Maori Hameçon 13012012 4.jpg|Bone matau, a functional [[circle fishhook]] |
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File:MAP Expo Maori Hameçon 13012012 04.jpg|Wood and [[ |
File:MAP Expo Maori Hameçon 13012012 04.jpg|Wood and [[pāua]] shell matau, with the iridescent shell forming an integrated lure |
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</gallery> |
</gallery> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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*[[Hei-tiki]] |
*[[Hei-tiki]], ornamental Māori pendant |
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*[[Manaia (mythological creature)]] |
*[[Manaia (mythological creature)|Manaia]], Māori mythological creature, symbol of protection |
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==References== |
==References== |
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* [https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/search/%22hei%20matau%22/results ''Hei matau'' in the collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa] |
* [https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/search/%22hei%20matau%22/results ''Hei matau'' in the collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa] |
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[[Category:New Zealand |
[[Category:Culture of New Zealand]] |
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[[Category:Māori art]] |
[[Category:Māori art]] |
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[[Category:Māori words and phrases]] |
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Latest revision as of 12:14, 2 September 2024
A hei matau is a bone or greenstone carving in the shape of a highly stylised fish hook. They represent good luck and safe travel across water.[1]
Meaning
[edit]The fish-hook shape of the hei matau means to know, which holds that the North Island of New Zealand was once a huge fish that was caught by the great mariner Māui using only a woven line and a hook made from the jawbone of his grandmother.[2] Legend holds that the shape of Hawkes Bay is that of the hei matau, which caught in the fish's side on the beach. The Māori name for the North island, Te Ika a Māui ("The fish of Māui") reflects this legend.
For the Māori, the hei matau is taonga (a cultural treasure). It represents not only their land, but also prosperity, fertility, and safe passage over water. They also denote the importance of fishing to Māori, and their relationship to Tangaroa god of the sea.
Materials and methods
[edit]
Traditionally, matau, or fishhooks, were carved from bone, ivory, shell, wood, or pounamu; composite hooks were also common.[3][4] They came in several different forms. There are multiple apparently functional matau forms, but the functions of some are not known.[3][5] Some were plain and utilitarian; others highly ornate. They were worn as pendants for safekeeping, and were often treasured family heirlooms.
Today, their main use is ornamental and they are commonly worn around the neck not only by Māori, but also by other New Zealanders who identify with the hei matau as a symbol of New Zealand. They are also popular items on the tourist market. Many modern pendants are not functional fish hooks.
In contemporary times, hei matau are commonly carved from cattle bone. Some Māori carvers continue to use whale bone, and such pieces are highly valued not only because of the beauty of whale bone and its cultural and historical significance, but also its scarcity. Current laws against hunting whales mean that Māori bone-carvers who carve in whale bone must use a combination of ancient standings or pre-existing supplies, or bones from whales that have recently beached. According to New Zealand tradition and law, Māori have first claim on part of the skeletons of any whales which strand and cannot be refloated. This is, however, a very limited supply.
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Bone matau, a functional circle fishhook -
Wood and pāua shell matau, with the iridescent shell forming an integrated lure
Mass production
[edit]Manufacturers in China mass-produce items resembling hei matau for sale on the New Zealand tourist market. These are usually made of a paste of bone and resin. Such manufacturers have attracted criticism for their appropriation of Māori designs.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Some Basic Design Elements & Their Meanings
- ^ Te Matau a Maui
- ^ a b Paulin, Chris (2012). "The traditional Māori 'internal-barb' fishhook". Tuhinga: Records of the Museum of New Zealand te Papa Tongarewa. 23: 1–8. Retrieved 2016-09-07.
- ^ Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (2006). "Traditional Maori fish hooks and trolling lures". Retrieved 2016-09-07.
- ^ Paulin, Chris (2009). "Porotaka hei matau - a traditional Maori tool?". Tuhinga: Records of the Museum of New Zealand te Papa Tongarewa. 20: 15–21. Retrieved 2016-09-07.
External links
[edit]