ta'ovala

Plaited waist mat, or skirt, made of Pandanus leaf worn at a wedding. The skirt is finger woven from large strips, which are split during the weaving process; this can be seen in the upper section of the skirt where many of the larger strips remain connected together. At the lower end of the garment, these strips are split and curled to form a fringe which rustles as the wearer walks. Over this fringe, tabs are stitched on with cotton thread using a sewing machine and small tufts of commercially dyed chicken feathers are attached. These feathers are green, orange and blue. Three of the tabs bear the names of the makers in biro and read “Luseani, MEle Koli, and Mele Niloni” these three women would have collaborated on the weaving of this garment over a number of weeks, probably working in the early hours of the morning.

Collection Information

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