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Page:Pounamu, notes on New Zealand greenstone (IA pounamunotesonne00robl).djvu/50

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46
POUNAMU.

A greenstone carving in the shape of a fish hook. Also shown is a smaller similar version
Figure 22

The hei[1] matau (Figure 22) is a neck ornament with the general shape of a fish-hook, but made in a large variety of shapes and sizes. A greenstone carving, the bottom of which looks similar to a tiki but with two longer pieces at the top with "eyes" for a cord to pass through.
Figure 23
Spells were recited over them, and they seem to have been regarded as charms to ensure success in sea-fishing. It has been suggested that the hook form commemorates

  1. For the significance of the word hei thus prefixed to a Maori word see page 55