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Hei MatauA hei matau is a bone carving in the shape of a highly stylized fish hook typical of the Maori people of New Zealand. The fish-hook shape of the hei matau finds its origins in Maori legend, which holds that New Zealand was once a huge fish that was caught by the great mariner Maui using only a woven line and a bone hook. For the Maori, the hei matau is taonga (a cultural treasure). It represents not only their land, but also prosperity, fertility and safe passage over water. Traditionally, hei matau were always carved from whale bone. They came in several different forms ranging from the plain and utilitarian, used for catching fish, to the highly ornate, which served as treasured family heirlooms. Today, their main use is ornamental and they are commonly worn around the neck not only by Maori, 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. In contemporary times, hei matau are commonly carved from cattle bone. Some Maori 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 certain species of whales mean that most Maori bone-carving collectives who carve in whale bone must use a combination of ancient standings or pre-existing supplies and bones from whales that have been legally caught or recently beached. Manufacturers in China and India 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 Maori designs.
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