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Overview
This is a fala lau`ie (mat made from lau'ie) a type of sleeping mat that is part of a larger category of Samoan mats referred to as fala ufi moega. These fala have a flap and fringe designed to hang down and decorate the side of a bed.
Sleeping mats
In 1999, there were two types of fala ufi moega; the fala lau`ie and the fala vali. The fala lau`ie is probably the present day version of what was formerly known as the `ie moega - a plain largely undecorated sleeping mat used by matai and made from a variety of pandanus plant called lau`ie.
The fala lau`ie that replaced the `ie moega typically featured "…soft, well prepared, narrow, double layered wefts of lau`ie; a fringe and/ or flaps or tags at the bottom edge; restrained geometric designs stitched or laced through the mat with wool of a limited range of colours.
Construction
One old fala lau`ie measured in 1980 had wefts 6mm wide. By 1999, these old fala lau`ie were considered quite rare with Peka Malo a weaver from Manase, saying that any good fala lau`ie in use were likely to be at least five to ten years old.
Her observation is supported former Te Papa ethnologist Roger Neich who in 1980 noted that modern fala lau`ie were much thicker and coarser and not processed or made as carefully as they were in former times.
Significance
This fala lau'ie 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 fala lau'ie was made in 2000 by Vilealava Vaipae as part of the Women in Business scheme, Samoa.