Pulou (hat)

This is a pulou (hat) woven from Tokelau,woven from dried pandanus leaf in a Panama style.The crown of the hat is convex on top and is decorated with a band of blue x shaped motifs.There is a similar band of motifs just inside and around the hats brim. It is fitted with a hat band woven from purple dyed pandanus leaf featuring geometric motifs and the Tokelauan word "TOFA" [farewell].

Weaving in Tokelau

In Tokelau, the weaving of mats, garments, fans and other items is usually the work of women. Weavers use dried coconut leaves and two different varieties of pandanus in their work. They take great care cutting, splitting and processing the leaves, to create different textures and properties in the completed textile. In the early to mid-twentieth century, weavers’ in Tokelau used their skills to make items such as sails for vaka (canoes) or roof thatching and blinds for house construction.

Significance

This pulou is significant as an example of late 20th century weaving from Tokelau – a practice that in the early 21st century is in decline.It is one of a number of items in Te Papa associated with Frank Corner, a New Zealand diplomat who worked in London as Deputy High Commissioner between 1952 and 1958, and later in the Pacific Islands.In 1961,Corner became New Zealand's Ambassador to the United Nations. He chaired the Trusteeship Council for two years, and served on the United Nations Security Council.Corner was the leading proponent of decolonisation of Pacific territories under New Zealand control, and provided the leading intellectual arguments in favour of decolonisation of Tokelau, the Cook Islands,Niue,and Western Samoa.

Acquisition History

This pulou is part of a collection donated to Te Papa by Victoria Corner in 2018.