Tata (canoe bailer)

Māori bailing devices are known by several different names – tatā, tīheru, and tā wai. This example is elaborately carved and adheres to the form of customary bailers, which is unique to Māori. Construction involved carving a single piece of wood to make a large hollowed scoop with a forward projecting handle. The bailing action was sometimes accompanied by an invocatory chant called a karakia tatā.