Cook Islands
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The Cook Islands
Pacific Travel Guides
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Cook Islands Handicrafts
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Cook Island handicrafts are of high quality and the fine weaving of the Rito hats is the envy of many of its Pacific neighbours. The white flat rimmed hats are woven by ladies from the Northern Group with much care and preparation using the young shoots of a palm tree. The Cooks are also known for their colourful Tivaevae (colourful patchwork quilts that take months to make) and these are used in ceremonies throughout the passage of life as well as decorative wall hangings. All Cook Islanders should own one, and on death are buried with them. Woodcarvings are prominent in the town boutiques and market, and whilst not all originate from the Cooks, two local carvings prevail: Tangaroa, the phallic statue of a prominent male god; and slit drums known as pate. The sale of leis (flower garlands), fans, baskets and black pearls also help the locals make ends meet. Avarua Town has a good selection of boutiques and black pearl specialists.
Readers may also be interested in the following destinations:
Fijian Handicrafts
Samoan Handicrafts
Tongan Handicrafts
Hawaiian Handicrafts
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