Tairiiri (Fan)

Tairiiri. Fan. Composite tairiiri woven from kikau ou (young coconut leaf) with dyed-red apuraka (giant swamp taro), dyed-red kiriau (hibiscus fibre) akamanea (decoration), 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 a horizontal twill. Mostly natural colour with dyed-red overlaid strips of apuraka (giant swamp taro) forming pattern, pa motu (islet), along the top of the blade. Top edge of the blade is flat, and decorated with dyed-red strips of kiriau forming the akaverevere (fringe). Blade is attached to a shaped mauranga rakau and lashed at the centre base of blade with cotton thread.