Canadian here. A number of years ago my family visited New Zealand, and while falling in love with the country and the culture, I also discovered the Hei Matau - the Maori fish hook.

This has haunted me ever since, and I want to carve one for myself. However, we've spent the last decade starting to understand the relationship between European settlers and the North American Indigenous people.

So what I do in my basement with carving tools is my own business, but I ask honestly if wearing a Hei Matau in public is considered respectful or appropriation. And also if the material matters in this context. (It would likely be from a tagua nut - "vegetable ivory" - although it's possible I could get some whale bone from my coastal friends.)

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] Munkisquisher 7 points 5 months ago

Wearing them is no problem. They are common gifts for people leaving, we give carved greenstone to friends from overseas who vist. It's customary to only wear it if it's given to you, it's bad luck to buy yourself one. Though carvers will make a show of gifting it to you for koha if you really do want to buy one for yourself.

Learn the customs and the meanings and spread the Tikanga as you wear it.