Tairiiri (Fan)

Tairiiri. Fan. Composite tairiiri woven from kikau ou (young coconut leaf), with overlaid strips of apuraka (giant swamp taro) akamanea (decoration) and mauranga (handle) rakau (wooden). The blade is in the shape of an inverted triangle. Plaited commencement at the centre base. Leaflets are split in half separating the kikau (leafe) from the kata (midrib) and woven outwards in finer check. All edges of the blade have a subtly patara (serrated) effect from the weaving. Top edge is flat. Blade decorated with dyed-red overlaid strips of apuraka in chevron forms. Faces of the blade not identical. Other side differs in that there is no decorative red element. Blade is attached to a natural mauranga rakau and lashed at the centre base of blade with twine lashing.