Traditional Samoan Fine Mats

Almost every village had a designated spot fale lalaga where women would gather to make these mats.

Traditional samoan fine mats.

Fine mats have been passed down from generation to generation. These women would teach their children the art of making fine mats. These fine mats are as enduring as our samoan culture. ʻie tōga have an unwoven fringe and a strip of red feathers.

Current samoan artists like fatu feu u are inspired by traditional samoan art and. 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. 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. Laitalie lilo weaves traditional fine mats falalauie which are prized among samoans.

The weave is of double thickness and fine strips are used making it a valuable possession. An ʻie tōga is a special finely woven mat that has the highest cultural value in the sāmoa islands. Falalauie are not really used as mats but are exchanged at special occasions family funerals special. 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.

They are made by women and form an important part of their role identity and skill in their community. The ie sae has a special place in samoan culture and heritage. The fala paongo brown in colour ranks high it is a chiefly mat and is customarily presented to those of chiefly rank. ʻie tōga are valued by the quality of the weave and the softness and shine of the material.

These fine mats are used for special occasions such as weddings funerals and the bestowing of chiefly titles. Everything from ie toga falas taovala etc. Ie sae are very soft finely woven traditional samoan fine mats. They are commonly referred to in english as fine mats although they are never used as sitting mats.

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. An ʻie tōga is a special finely woven mat that is an important item of cultural value in samoa. Traditional samoan arts include tatau siapo and ie toga which are body art decorative fabric and fine mats. The giving and receiving of ie tōga fine mats is an integral part of fa a samoa samoan way.

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. See more ideas about polynesian samoan tongan. 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.