Figure 22.—Lashing of thatch rafter join (fafau so'o'aso):

a, two rod ends are fitted and held together by the left hand. The braid (3) is passed longitudinally under the left thumb which is midway along the joint. The end, with sufficient length to form two loose turns round the joint, is passed downwards on the near side of the rod to form the loose turn (1), brought around again in the second turn (2) and its end (4) brought over to cross the standing part as shown in the figure. The left thumb keeps the end (4) and the standing part of (3) firmly in position by pressure against the wood, b, The near loop (2) is drawn taut by the right hand, and brought vertically up over the crossing where it is fixed by the left thumb, c, The far loop (1) is drawn taut by seizing the Part (5) in b from beneath the rod and drawing it tightly around close to the previous loop. It is drawn upwards over the crossing, and held by the left thumb. The braid slack has now resolved itself into the large loop (6) to the right of the crossings, d, The standing braid(3) is now pulled to the left to remove the slack loop (6). The braid is cut off on the left of the crossings, and the join lashing is complete.