Tairiiri (Fan)

Tairiiri. Fan. Composite tairiiri woven from kikau ou (coconut leaf) with overlaid dyed-green apuraka (giant swamp taro) akamanea (decoration), and dyed-green kiriau (hibiscus fibre) akaververe (fringe) and a mauranga (handle) carved from rakau (wood). 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. Weaving technique alters to a horizontal twill. Mostly natural in colour with approximately 30mm of dyed-green overlaid strips of apuraka along the top of the blade, forming pa maunga (mountain) pattern along the top of the blade. Top edge of the blade is flat, and decorated with dyed-green strips of kiriau approximately 50mm, are interwoven along the top edge forming the akaverevere. Mauranga is broken away at centre base. Top of mauranga remains with the blade woven around it. Cotton string is tied around the base of the blade. Mauranga is of rakau tou (Islan