Toki taraī

human history

Toki. Hafted adze. A polished toki (adze - triangular in cross section) of toka kerekere (black basalt) lashed to a long, carved wooden haft with a flared, conical-shaped base. Top of the haft carved out to accommodate the fitting of the toki. Lashing of puru akari (braided coconut sennit) of a flat iri taki toru (3-ply braid) lashed on to the top of the haft to secure the toki. Length of the wooden haft carved in a succession of large geometric shapes (cylinder, pyramid, stepped pyramid). Carved surface decoration applied to the entirety of the long wooden haft consisting of repeated horizontal rows of triangular motifs. Base of the haft is flared and conical in shape. Lashing is natural in colour. Carved wooden haft is brown in colour.

Last Update: 8 Aug 2022
Other Name

Adze, Hafted (English)

Associated Place

Aitutaki/Cook Islands

Accession Date

1901

Other Id

12225 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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Toki taraī, 12225, Photographed by Andrew Hales, digital, 05 Oct 2016, Cultural Permissions Apply Cultural Permissions Apply
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