Traditional Samoan Fine Mats

An ʻie tōga is a special finely woven mat that is an important item of cultural value in samoa.

Traditional samoan fine mats.

They are commonly referred to in english as fine mats although they are never used as mats as they only have a purely cultural value. An ʻie tōga is a special finely woven mat that has the highest cultural value in the sāmoa islands. The four most used mats are fala paongo fala tui fala tofua and fala fihu. The ie sae has a special place in samoan culture and heritage.

Falalauie are not really used as mats but are exchanged at special occasions family funerals special. ʻie tōga are valued by the quality of the weave and the softness and shine of the material. They are commonly referred to in english as fine mats although they are never used as sitting mats. Jul 25 2017 polynesian mats are made from the pandanus tree fala hala hand wolven and decorated w feathers shells yarn etc.

The weave is of double thickness and fine strips are used making it a valuable possession. Traditional samoan arts include tatau siapo and ie toga which are body art decorative fabric and fine mats. 34 this may explain why old fine mats are sometimes sold for thousands of dollars by those who cannot conceive of an appropriate opportunity to give them away and who are in need of cash. Laitalie lilo weaves traditional fine mats falalauie which are prized among samoans.

The fala paongo brown in colour ranks high it is a chiefly mat and is customarily presented to those of chiefly rank. 32 on a ratio of about 15 30 samoan tala for one small ordinary fine mat 40 50 for a better quality small fine mat and 100 300 for a very large one. ʻie tōga have an unwoven fringe and a strip of red feathers. Ie sae are very soft finely woven traditional samoan fine mats.

Fine mats have been passed down from generation to generation. See more ideas about polynesian samoan tongan. They are made by women and form an important part of their role identity and skill in their community. Everything from ie toga falas taovala etc.

These fine mats are as enduring as our samoan culture. Fine mats ie are prized in samoa as symbols of wealth and abundance and are exchanged and offered as symbols of celebration redemption celebration honor and forgiveness. The history or story is that the first find mat that travelled from samoa to tonga and back hence named ietoga had a special origin. In the past there were many accomplished fine mat makers.

T he origins of the first fine mat ever woven trace back through generations of oral history and legend to the village of lefutu in tutuila american samoa and follows a dramatic story through its journey to the kingdom of tonga and again back to amoa in savaii. These fine mats are used for special occasions such as weddings funerals and the bestowing of chiefly titles. Almost every village had a designated spot fale lalaga where women would gather to make these mats.