Haiane malala

Haiane malala. Coal iron. Malala is the coal that comes from heating nge'esi niu (coconut shell) and is used to heat the iron. This haiane was made from burnished metal and is gold-grey in colour. It has a red handle with a small latch in the shape of a rooster at the front. It is accompanied with a triangular stand for the haiane. There is a small decal of two interlocking lozenge shapes on the underside of the stand. The embers produced from 5-10 nge'esi niu last a long time. Haiane are an example of foreign items introduced to Tonga in the mid twentieth century and were considered koloa muli (foreign gifts). It appears to be in unused condition.