B.—The Ohini.

The ohini is a small round basket, Fig. 148. It is really a continuation of the raurau technique with extra leaflets to form definite sides. The young leaves of the cocoanut palm are used. Four pieces of the leaf midrib are split off, each carrying three leaflets and four other pieces each carrying two leaflets. The threes and twos are arranged in pairs and locked together by passing the middle leaflet of the three between those of the two. Two sets of three are then interlaced with a check plait as shown in Fig. 149. This technique is similar to that of the raurau

Figure 149.
Commencement of ohini basket.

page 169in Fig. 145 except that the ohini has reserve leaflets at the back in the locked twos, A and B. The other two sets of threes and twos are similarly arranged.

The next step is again similar to that in the raurau. The two plaited parts are placed apex to apex and interlaced with a continuation of the check stroke. This stage of the technique is shown in the lower part of Fig. 150, below the arrows, where B B indicate the twos not yet used.

Figure 150.
Plaiting body of ohini basket.

In the part above the arrows, the twos (A A) have been plaited in from either side and are shown in the Figure by marking in the leaflet midrib. The leaf midrib attachment is simply pulled round into position. Thus the upper part has five leaflets interlaced from either side. When the two leaflets cross in the middle line at X, that on the left is doubled over to the left and plaited through the other four leaflets. The next two, as they successively reach the edge, are plaited through the others, as shown by 1, 2, and 3. The next two, 4 and 5, are knotted loosely to prevent the plaiting from unravelling. The leaflets on the right are treated similarly.

The work is then turned round and the twos (B B) are treated like the others. It will be seen that at each end of the turned edge of five leaflets, three are directed downwards and two upwards. A half turn is now made with the work and the ends are brought together so that the free ends of the five leaflets from either side overlap. The two upward directed leaflets, 4 and 5, are untied. The page 170upward directed leaflets from one side lie parallel with the downward directed leaflets from the other, as in Fig. 151.

Figure 151.
Ohini basket, end wefts in position.

The downward directed sets of these leaflets from either side are interlaced to continue the check stroke. The series A is then continued in a three-ply braid for a little distance and knotted. The series B is treated similarly, Fig. 152. The four upward directed leaflets are plaited

Figure 152.
Ohini basket, plaiting the end.

into a three-ply braid by joining two leaflets into one of the plies (C) or by treating them with the four-ply plait of the round rope, taura puna. The other two ends of the twisted sides are dealt with similarly, and the upper edge of the round basket thus completed. The parts completed by the plaiting of the two sets of threes cross the rough parts formed by the leaf midrib strip that keeps page 171the leaflets together at the commencement. The approximation of the ends in the last stage, besides completing the upper edge, also finishes the sides of the basket. The bottom is formed by the part first plaited along the line shown by the arrows in Fig. 150.

The four knotted ends of the series of threes may be thrust up through the bottom of the basket, when the knots are sufficient to keep them in position. The three-ply braids may be plaited a little longer, and the corresponding ones from either end tied together beneath the basket or inside on the floor of the basket.

The plaited leaflets projecting upwards from the upper edge on either side are knotted together to form a handle.

The plaited ends where they overlap the midrib commencement are the weakest part of the basket. To strengthen this part, the two sets of three leaflets, after being interlaced where they cross naturally, may be continued on in a six weft band by turning in the leaflets from the sides to further interlace as shown in Fig. 153. After continuing far enough to completely overlap the

Figure 153.
Ohini basket, alternate treatment of ends.

midrib commencements, the six leaflets are plaited into a three-ply braid, A. This can be continued to tie with the one from the other end or thrust up through the bottom and knotted.

Remarks. The ohini is a raurau platter with sides and a handle. Like the raurau, it is used for containing cooked food.