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. Weaving technique alters to horizonzal twill to complete the rest of the blade. Mostly natural colour with dyed-red overlaid strips of apuraka approximately 33mm, along the top edge of the blade in a diamond pattern. Top edge of the blade is flat with strips of dyed-red kiriau (hibiscus fibre) interwoven into the blade, forming the akaverevere (fringe) (approximately 45mm wide). Blade is attached to a rounded mauranga rakau, lashed at the centre base of the blade with approximately 6mm of cotton thread. Mauranga is carve from rakau puka (Lantern tree, Her