Tairiiri (Fan)

Tairiiri. Fan. Composite tairiiri with blade woven from kikau ou (young coconut leaf), dyed-red overlaid apuraka (giant swamp taro) akamanea (decoration) and dyed-red kiriau (hibiscus fibre) akaverevere (fringe), attached to mauranga (handle) rakau (wooden). The blade is in shape of an inverted triangle. Plaited commencement at centre base of the blade. Woven out in vertical twill from the centre to form lower edge and sides of blade. Mostly natural colour with dyed-red overlaid strips of apuraka forming pattern along the top of the blade. Top edge of the blade is flat with strips of dyed-red kiriau interwoven into the blade, forming the akaverevere. Blade is attached to a shaped mauranga rakau and lashed at the centre base of the blade with dyed-red strips of apuraka. Mauranga, is of rakau tou (Island Walnut, Cordia subcordata wood).