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Straw Hand Fans


Straw Hand Fans, or Buri Fans, are heart-shaped handwoven fans that are made from the dried stalks and fronds of the buri palm. They are a native product of the Asian tropical countries and exude a very tropical feel in their smooth-textured, braided fronds design. While looking delicate, straw fans are actually durable and handy – they lend a strong breeze enough to keep you cool on a hot and humid weather, they do not tear easily, and can last long despite frequent uses. Order these straw fans for your summer parties and beach wedding with paper lanterns and paper parasols to fill your party place with their tropical colors and exquisite Asian design.


What is Buri?


Buri, scientifically known as Corypha elata, is one of the largest palm trees in the world. They are native to the tropical countries of Asia, especially the Philippines where they are considered as the country's most stately and largest palm. Buri palms can reach over 120 feet in height and their trunk can grow to as much as 5 feet in diameter. They have large, fan-shaped leaves that measure up to 3 meters in length and the source of three (3) types of fibers, that's the:

  • Buri, which is obtained from the matured leaf of the palm;
  • Raffia or the very fine fiber from the young shoot or unopened leaf of buri palm; and,
  • Buntal, which is extracted from the petiole of the buri palm's leaf.

    • Like the coconut and other tropical palm trees, the different parts of the buri palm are utilized for economical and industrial uses. Once in their life, the buri palm produces thousands to a million greenish-white flowers that each measure 5 to 6 mm and turn into small round fruits and seeds and after which, the buri palm dies. 1,2

    Straw Hand Fans or Buri Fans Facts and Features


    Our straw hand fans or buri fans are made in the Philippines or Thailand and delicately woven using the dried and bleached, or color-dyed, soft and pliant fronds, called strips, of the buri palm. Because they are completely hand-weaved, no two pieces of these straw fans are alike and slight variations of buri fans of the same size and color can be expected.

    Typically, the middle of buri fans are made stiff and sturdy by closed rancing weaves that stretch to a more loose type of weave, called the sawali weaves, which make use of wider buri strips and that make the sides of buri fans slightly bendable. They are edged with a braid-like weave and completed with a loop-like handle made of the stalks of the buri leaves that is joined at the main peg of the fan. Buri fans with a straight and firm handle are also popular and are usually made with non-flexible fan leaf.

    Due to the high quality dye and excellent dyeing nature of buri, our colored straw fans or buri fans flaunt rich colors that stay vivid, do not rub off, nor stain during their lifetime. For keeping cool in the summer, choose buri fans that measure at least 8" and cinch your thumb and the other four (4) fingers on the bottom part of the leaf where the top of the handle is also situated to enjoy a strong breeze that takes your mind to the airy comfort of a tropical beach.

    Asian Party and Tropical Wedding Reception Ideas with Straw Fans


    Looking for more ways to spice up your Asian party on a beach or tropical wedding reception? Here are our simple DIY tips on how to use or decorate straw fans for your summer wedding and outdoor parties:

    Tie a ribbon on the handle of the buri fans. A common but no-fail strategy to dress buri fans for special events, simply wrap the buri fan's handle with a ribbon, or tie a bow using 1" satin ribbons on the upper part of its handle. You can also maximize them as placecard holders by punching a hole on the placecard and inserting it on the ribbon so it stays secured underneath the fan's decorative bow.

    Embellish buri fans with faux flowers. Set to make your lady guests look more feminine, you can create a corsage-like flower arrangement on the leaf of the straw fan, especially on the part just right above its handle, using faux flowers, leaves, peacock feathers, and ribbons. You can also glue a few faux pearls, beads, or rhinestones to make them look more stylish. Finally, place the fans on the chairs of the wedding ceremony venue or on the party tables to greet guests with a pleasant surprise.

    Paint your buri fans to match your wedding's motif. Not able to find the perfect color of buri fans for your wedding or party? Choose the natural-colored buri fans and paint them in your own design or dip them in color dye. Dry your buri fans thoroughly and embellish them for your wedding and special occasion.

    Whether your wedding day falls during the hottest day of summer or if you are planning for a special occasion in a desert, these straw fans or buri fans surely won't fail in keeping your guests cool and comfortable. Shop for straw hand fans wholesale or bulk to enjoy huge discounts and checkout more of our hand fans, paper lanterns, paper parasols umbrellas, and Asian wedding favors that are sure bring your Asian-tropical feel to your wedding or party.

    References:
    1http://www.bohol.ph/picture571.html
    2http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=621326183914