Tivaevae Quiz

 Day 64 of lockdown. Blog 3 in October.

Kia Orana readers,

It is Cook Islands and Niuean week, and we were learning about tivaevae. Fortunately, we didn't have to make a paper tivaevae. We had to make A quiz. I will be showing you the quiz I made at the end of this blog.

First, I will give you some information to prepare for my quiz, I will be explaining everything about tivaevae.

Tivaevae (sometimes spelled tivaivai), literally meaning patches, is the art of quilting in the Cook Islands. Quilting was first introduced to the Cook Islands women by the French in the early 1800s. Once the islanders learned how to sew and embroider, they quickly made quilting into a unique art all their own. While they may be made by a solo artist, tivaevae are also created in local women’s groups, where friends gather to swap news and stitches. These groups are called panges, which takes 8 women to form.

In every pange, there is A Ta'unga, kind of like the expert in the pange. Once the tivaevae is finished, the Ta'unga sews A boarder around the tivaevae.

There are three different types of Tivaevae. Tivaevae Manu, Tivaevae ta'orei, and tivaevae tatura. Each tivaevae take different times to complete. It also depends on compexity and time. They can take from one week up to two years to complete.

Tivaevae manu

Probably the most common type of tivaevae, this type of tivaevae features cut-out patterns sewn applique-style on to a solid color backing. Designs are cut out similar to paper snowflakes, by folding the fabric into quarters or eighths.

Tivaevae ta’orei

This is the patchwork style of tivaevae made from 1-inch squares of fabric, sewn onto a solid backing. With thousands of pieces necessary for one blanket, ta’orei quilts can take years to complete.

Tivaevae tataura

Both tivaevae manu and tataura are made from cut-outs appliqued on a solid back. Tivaevae tataura also includes embroidery stitches used to embellish the design.

Tivaevae are often markers of important life events, being given to important visitors or as special gifts on weddings, birthdays, and the traditional boys’ hair cutting ceremony. Even if tivaevae aren’t being given as a gift at a special event, you can bet they are being used as decorations!

I think I have given you enough information for my quiz. Are you ready? Here we go! Scroll down to see the quiz.