Te iriba

human history

Iriba. Fan. This is a hand held iriba. It is flat in form presenting an upside down triangular shape with a small cylindrical handle at its base. This iriba is composed of four material components: kakoko (the young, white central leaves of the coconut tree), te nimwaerere (a cord of human hair and coconut sennit fibre) and te ira (pandanus leaf). The structure is handwoven from kakoko. The tresses have retained their off-white colour. A strand of te ira has been folded in half to cover the selvedge of the kakoko that makes up the handle of the iriba. A two-ply cord of te nimwaerere has been bound around the handle fixing te ira and the ends of the kakoko tresses together. A loose end of the cord hangs freely near the end of the handle. This style of iriba would be used for domestic purposes such as fanning the fire. Its cord of te nimwaerere provides the iriba with added significance.

Accession number: 1939.104 Last Update: 5 Dec 2025
Other Name

Fan (English)

Accession Number

1939.104

Accession Date

1939

Other Id

24499.2 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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Te iriba; 1939.104; 24499.2; Cultural Permissions Apply Cultural Permissions Apply
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