How to Weave a Tipiti
A Brazilian tipiti is made using the same basic principles of a Chinese fingertrap. Strips of palm leaf are woven together on the bias to create a 5-foot long cylinder. This cylinder is filled with grated manioc mash. Manioc is a fleshy, tuberous root and a primary source of carbohydrates in Brazilian cuisine. The cylinder is hung from the rafters and a hundred pound weight is attached to the bottom. The tipiti is placed over a decorative basket. As the cylinder compresses it squeezes the manioc mash and starch is produced which runs out the bottom of the tipiti into the basket. Making a tipiti is similar to making a fingertrap.
Instructions
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Cut twenty paper strips nine-sixteenth inch wide and 17-inches long. Cut and tie a string around a 5-inch diameter branch or jar. We will be making an example of the bias weave using paper.
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Slide one strip of paper under the string so that half of the strip is above the string. Angle the top of the paper to 120-degrees to the string. Place a second strip over the first strip just under the string. The second strip should be horizontal and parallel to the string.
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3
Fold the top of the first strip over the string. Fold the right side of the horizontal strip over the edge of the first strip. Fold to the left and down. Your horizontal folded strip should now be parallel with the bottom of the first strip. Fold the left side horizontal strip back and under following the edge of the bottom first strip. Go under the bottom first strip and over the folded right horizontal strip. This will lock the paper to the string and start the weave. Repeat this for five more pairs of strips to cover the entire 5-inch diameter branch. The top edge will look like flat teeth gripping the string.
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4
Weave the adjacent sets together in an over and under pattern to connect the weave. As you can see this will create a tube of bias weave about 7-inches long. A tipiti is 5-feet long. Add to the length by overlapping 3-inches of a new strip over the end of a woven strip. Keep weaving to the length you want. Fold your ends under and weave the strips back into the weave to create a clean edge. This gives you a demo of a tipiti. A real tipiti is made of palm leaf and rope. The rope is tied around a round branch. Palm leaves are cut into strips and woven on the bias like the paper. How the weave is finished varies among Brazilian native peoples.
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Tips & Warnings
Ropes may be secured to the outside bottom of the tipiti when hanging it to add weight.
References
- Photo Credit Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
