Te raku; Orie n Te raku

Te raku; Orie n te raku. Swordfish dorsal fin. This is a component of the swordfish. It is a pair of the large dorsal len (fin) from the swordfish. The skin across the vertical bone structure is dark brown to black in colour and has dried into a hard form. The ends of the len taper and curve into thin delicate points. The base from where it has been detached from the raku reveals the off-white bones that make up the structure of the len. This dark skin material is significant in i-Kiribati culture and considered rare. It can be used to create patterns in weaving for baskets or in some cases children's te riri (skirts). The bones can also be utilized as needles for stringing fish together. This fin set is considered small compared to some that have been several yards long.