Tivaevae

                       Tivaevae

The word tivaevae means patches.
It is pieces of material sewn
together. The Tivaevae are either
made by one woman or can create
in groups. Groups called vainetini.
The women use this time to bond,
sing and to catch up. Tivaevae are
often given on very special occasions
to important visitors, birthdays and
wedding gifs or used to cover the
body of a loved one who has died.
Tivaevae’s are often displayed during
special events like traditional hair
cuttings.

By custom, a tivaevae's value is said
to reflect by the love and patience
that the creator put into making
their stunning work of art. Cook
Island women describe their
tivaevae as being something from
the heart. Each tivaevae is unique
and different. No tivaevae is ever
the same. How you can tell the
difference is in the stitch.
My grandmother has a passion
for making, cutting and stitching
tivaevae's. She is one of the head
lady in her vainetini groups.

In our class, we made our version
of a tivaevae. This reflects us as a
class and the love and respect we
have for my culture and all of the
cook island people. 

Thank you, kia orana, Meitaki Ma’ata.