Hei Matau
A Hei Matau ( Hei - Matau also ) is a bone or pounamu ( New Zealand jade a ) cut object in the shape of a highly stylized fish hook Māori in New Zealand. It symbolizes strength, luck and safe journey over water.
Importance
The fish hook shape of the hei matau finds its origin in the legend of Māori that the North Island of New Zealand was once a huge fish that was caught by the great mariner Maui using a fishing line and a bone hook. According to legend, the shape of Hawke Bay is the shape of the hei matau, which has dug into the side of the fish.
For the Māori hei matau is a taonga ( cultural treasures ). They represent not only their land, but also prosperity, fertility and safe passage over water. They also point to the importance of fishing for Māori and their old relationship with the sea god Tangaroa.
Production
Traditional hot matau were carved next to Jade made of whalebone. There were different forms of simple, used for fishing to highly ornate, who were eminent family heirlooms. Today they are mostly worn as jewelry on the neck, not only of Māori, but also by other New Zealanders who identify with hot matau as a symbol of New Zealand. They are also popular souvenirs for tourists ( here but often as cheap Asian imitations ).
Today hot matau are made mostly from bovine bone. Some Māori carvers continue to use whale bones. These pieces are highly sought after due to the beauty of the Walknochens, the history associated with them and their rarity. Whale bones are now only available from existing stock or stranded whales. In New Zealand, Māori have the first claim on a portion of the skeleton of each Wales, who is stranded and can not be brought back into the sea again. This source is very limited.
Manufacturers in China and India have a mass production hei matau -like objects raised to sell them on the New Zealand market to tourists. These are usually made from a mixture of bone meal and resin. These manufacturers are criticized, among other things, that they have designs Māori appropriated without permission.