hoeroa

Usually fashioned from the jawbone or rib of a sperm whale. Hoeroa average between 1.5 and 1.8 m in length and 5 to 8 cm in width. Curved profile. Top often finely carved, with some examples also having a small amount of carving halfway down their length. On special occassions they were sometimes adorned with feathers and awe (tufts of dog hair)