Taona n riri

Taona n riri. Waist ornament. This is a waist ornament made from te ira (pandanus leaf), te burerewa (money cowrie; monetaria moneta) and cotton cloth. The base of the belt is constructed using pandanus with a serated edge. A long strip of black cotton cloth has been machine stitched onto the woven belt base. A series of te burerewa have been stitch down through a basting stitch onto the black strip of fabric. A floral printed cotton cloth has been cut then attached to one end and then a waffle, woven cotton cloth in pale green has been attached at the other end. These would have been used to fasten the taona n riri across the waist. These would be worn only by women or young girls. They would be positioned across the waist above te riri (skirt) and below a waist ornament of te nana (coconut shell) discs.