Going Native

So what do wild and crazy girls on the island of Tutuilla do on a “Girls Night?” Palm frond weaving of course!

Samoans have a rich history of woven products. Their traditional “currency” is actually fine mats. These mats are not used as household objects but as a form of barter. They are also worn as part of a traditional costume. Mats are exchanged at major events like weddings and funerals. Large mounds of fine mats will get stacked high in the fales as they are formally presented for the event.

The mats are usually woven by women elders. Baskets and purses are woven as well, but this is usually only done now in Western Samoa. These products are made of pandanus leaves. A good description of the culture of Samoan weaving .





Historical picture of women wearing the fine mats (from http://www.janeresture.com/)
Cotten shirts courtesy early missionaries . . .











Historical picture of chiefs wearing fine mats (from http://www.janeresture.com/) Note, no cotten shirts.
























Coconut palms don’t last so are used only to make disposable items. In Samoa they are only woven into baskets that are often used for trash (yard debris, garbage).













When I was in Honolulu I came across a book for coconut palm weaving and thinking it’s about time to learn some native crafts, I asked some gal pals over for some weaving of the palms.








It was fun, though apparently the palms in Hawaii are better and longer as all our projects are turning out smaller than the ones in the book. It was fun but I think we have a long way to go to make the projects that are actually pretty and useful. I’m not a big fan of the hanging basket and the projects are heavy on the hanging basket.










Soon I think I’ll be weaving my own clothes.