Ili

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Ili. Fan. This is an ili made of tuaaniu (coconut midrib), kaumoe (immature coconut leaf), laukie (soft pandanus) and fulu kaleva (kaleva feathers). The tuaaniu is braided to form the spine of the blade as well as the handle. The handle is encased in lalaga (woven) laukie. A beige laukie and a dark brown laukie is used to form a checkerboard pattern along the handle. The handle then flares to a circular blade made of tuāniu. The tuaaniu is tightly lashed using thin strips of kaumoe that also serve as a decorative feature. The decorative boarder is lalaga around the blade using pink laukie. White kaleva feathers are threaded around the blade to act as a border and are accentuated by a few black feathers also. Like many parts of the Pacific, ili are used to keep cool in the hot weather and presented as gifts to visitors, friends and family.

Accession number: 1969.94 Last Update: 1 Apr 2026
Other Name

Fan (English)

Accession Number

1969.94

Accession Date

24 Apr 1969

Other Id

41283 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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