item details
Overview
This is an example of an unfinished kato (basket) from Niue, that is woven from natural coloured and black dyed pandanus leaves. The weaver has left the fibres loose so the construction of the kato and its patterning are visible.
For carrying and gifting
Baskets are a common utilitarian item in many of the Pacific Islands where people use them to carry and store crops, fruits, clothing and other items. Women sometimes use baskets as fashion accessories, and weavers sell them as gifts and souvenirs for the tourist market. They can be very plain in design or incorporate various kinds of structural elements such as dyed leaves or weaving patterns, or applied decoration such as seashells, patterned cloth or embroidery.
Weaving baskets
Weavers use a range of plant fibres to make baskets. Two of the most common are coconut and pandanus leaves. In some places pandanus is planted in groves and is looked after and carefully tended so that the plants produce healthy leaves suitable for the weaving process. Pandanus has a variety of species and weavers often strip the leaves and process them before weaving them into products. Items made from the leaves of the coconut tree are more disposable, and the leaves undergo less processing. Therefore they are considered less valuable than those made from pandanus.
Acquisition history
This unfinished kato is one of a small number of cultural items collected as part of the Dominion Museum Science Expedition to Niue in 1971–72 that was organised by Dr John C. Yaldwyn, Assistant Director of the Dominion Museum.
References
Akeli, S., & Pasene, S. (2011). Exploring ‘the Rock’: Material culture from Niue Island in Te Papa’s Pacific Cultures collection. Tuhinga: Records of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 22, 101-124.