'aviti (fishing lure)

This 'aviti (fishing lure) is from the Society Islands. Its composite construction consists of a faoroa (shank) made from pearl shell and a pafao (point) made from bone. The pafao is perforated and attached to the faora with two rear lashings. A riiraa (snood) runs the length of the faoroa and is attached by an 'ere'a (lashing) to a hole in the nose of the faoroa. The line runs on from this lashing, ending in a knot and three strands of fibre.

Bonito
This type of lure is sometimes called a bonito lure, varieties of which appear across the Pacific region. In the early twentieth century, the bonito was an important species of fish for people in the Society Islands. It was favoured for its rich and nourishing flesh. Fishermen chased schools of bonito out at sea in fast canoes, paddling close to them and casting with long rods. The lure requires no bait. Its movement in the water and the light reflecting off its surface would attract bonito to strike at it as if it were a small fish.

Faoroa
Bonito fishermen owned large collections of pearl shell faoroa and cared for them as if they were the most precious objects. Faoroa were often named and had different shades of colour to suit particular fishing conditions. Old and successful faoroa could acquire a special status and were jealously guarded by their owners.