Te reeree

Te reeree. Sword set with shark's teeth. The blade and hilt of this rere (sword) are carved from kanni (coconut wood). The blade is large, flat and triangular in shape. It is ovoid in cross section and carved to a sharp pointed apex. The wooden hilt is rectangular in general shape and is covered in a woven sleeve of baan ni kaina (pandanus) and ira n atu (human hair). Two loose and wide strips of natural baan ni kaina are attached to the hilt. Another area of baan ni kaina weaving is applied to the top of the blade. Wi n bakoa (shark teeth) line the long edges of the blade. A groove is carved along the lengths of each side of the blade as well as drilled perforations. The wi n bakoa have been perforated at their base and fitted into the grooves of the blade in alignment with the blade's perforated holes. Light brown noko (coconut midribs) line the top of the grooves and keep the wi n bakoa. Fine cordage of te nimwaerere (intertwined human hair and coconut sennit) lash each wi n bakoa securely to the blade through the perforated holes and create horizontal lines across the flat surfaces of the blade. Several breakages in the nimwaerere are visible. Fifty five wi n bakoa line on side of the blade while the other side is lined with fifty six wi n bakoa giving an overall serrated effect to the blade. The rere is medium brown in overall colour, while the wi n bakoa are off-white in colour.