'ato (basket)

This is an ‘ato (basket) made in Samoa. It is deep and rectangular shaped and woven from strips of dried pandanus leaves of various width. It has two looped handles placed on each of its longest edges.

Tool kit

In late 20th century and early 21st century, ‘ato in Samoa were usually made by women from leaves of various types of plants. Most common were coconut leaf baskets and some of the simpler ones were made by both men and women. This large pandanus leaf ‘ato, was used to carry a set of Samoan tattooing tools made by Su'a Sulu'ape Alaiva'a Petelo, a leading tufuga tatatau (tattooing expert).

Acquisition

This ‘ato was acquired as part of an ‘auta (tattooing kit) purchased from Su'a Sulu'ape Alaiva'a Petelo during the 7th Festival of Pacific Arts in Apia, Samoa in 1996.