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Overview
This is a papa laufala, a type of floor mat made in Samoa for everyday use from the leaves of a variety of pandanus called laufala.
Manufacture
Weavers cut the wefts or strips of pandanus leaf material to a size less than 20mm. They are also double wefted. This means that two weft strips are placed together and woven as if they were one. This technique gives the papa laufala a similar appearance on both sides.
The mats can be quite large, up to 2 metres in length and up to 1 metre wide. The edges of the mat are straight and the thick construction makes them less prone to curling while on the floor.
In the early 20th century, women would sometimes mark these mats with two or three nicks, or steps, at a corner, or by putting in a short row of twill somewhere to distinguish their own property (1).
Significance
This papa laufala was made as part of a weaving programme run by the Samoan Women in Business Foundation based in Apia.
Part of the organisations aim is to empower women in the village context and help bring them into the cash economy where they can make a small income for themselves.Through the weaving programme they hoped to retain the skills of weaving and at the same time promote its cultural value.
In 1999, there were a core group of weavers established in the villages of Manono, Aleipata, Tufitafoe, Lotofaga, Falefa, Tufulele, Satoalepai and Salesatele.
Acquisition history
This papa laufala was made by Liki Tino of Satitoa, Upolu as part of the Women in Business scheme, Samoa.
References
1. Te Rangi Hiroa, (Peter Buck).(1930). Samoan Material Culture. Bernice P. Bishop Museum Bulletin 75. Hawaii. Honolulu .p. 209