Fijian Woven Mats

Sharing the skill of mats in Fiji

Fiji Times Online recently published an interesting Sikeli Qounadovu paper entitled "Passing on a DJing Art", which I would like to summarise for you..... Mattresses were regarded in Fiji as an important part of the Fijian family's richness and were given in traditional ways at marriages, burials or when visiting high wardens.

Some areas throughout Fiji are known for making original folk objects in an iTaukei area. In the provinces of Bua and Cakaudrove on the Isle of Vanua Levu, for example, humans are known for making the most delicate cuta, a woven material with a very delicate weave.

The Kabara Islands are renowned for being home to the best artisans in the state. Vatulele, on the isle of Viti Levu, is known as the capitol of the manufacture of wipes made from pure milk or tapas. On Gau some of the inhabitants of the village have specialised in another one of a kind mat manufacturing, the Bi ni-Lega.

It is a kind of pad with the name of persons or places that are usually written in dark panda and woven into the pad. Likusiani Tikoigau is one of these particular craftsmen, a 68-year-old grandma who masters the arts after years of work. Mrs Tikoigau added: "This is what Gau is known for, and sometimes we have always handed this skill down to our younger generations by educating them.

" In addition to her day-to-day work, Ms. Tikoigau also markets mats, saasaw brooms and oils to cover the family's diet. They said that a begi ni could make as long as two week and can be at a price of $ 400 Fijian dollar. As aging is gaining ground, one thing is certain, Mrs. Tikoigau showed no signs that she is decelerating what she prefers to do and that is to weave.

Iceland Culture Archival Suppport (ICAS) is a non-profit organisation devoted to the conservation of the indigenous cultures of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia, whose domestic and international archive, library, cultural centres and economic organisations are often under-funded, deprived and undermanned. This non-profit association was founded for the particular aim of supporting the needs of these South Pacific Patrimony Institutes by contributing to the conservation and accessibility of recordings made for commercial, accountable or educational use.

It will seek to create added value by making available to the islanders a resource or volunteer to provide advice, training and work to help them build their futures and preserve their memories through the use of advanced archiving technologies.