Ili

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Ili. Fan. This is an ili made of tuaaniu (coconut midrib), kaumoe (immature coconut leaf), and fulu kaleva (kaleva feathers). The tuaaniu forms a frame for the blade as well as the handle. Dyed kaumoe is then lashed decoratively around the frame to form the ili. The handle is rectangular while the blade is circular. The kaumoe has been dyed purple, pink as well as orange before it is used to form an intricate design around the blade. White fulu kaleva are threaded around the ili to form a decorative border. This type of ili was made as a collectible item for the tourist trade.

Accession number: 1987.78 Last Update: 9 Oct 2025
Other Name

Fan (English)

Accession Number

1987.78

Accession Date

28 Apr 1987

Other Id

52431 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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