Garland (salusalu), 2019

Submitted by akwong on

Hibiscus fiber garlands (salusalu) are made in a wide variety of designs and materials, and are traditionally bestowed by women on ceremonial occasions such as weddings, graduations, and official visits. Hibiscus fiber is skillfully knotted, tied, dyed, and folded into decorative loops or rosettes to form these complex garlands.

Three-Piece Ceremonial Attire (isulu ni soqo), 2019

Submitted by akwong on

This garment was designed for women and men to wear for important occasions. It is composed of three rectangular lengths of handmade white masi decorated with painted stenciled designs. The pieces of cloth, each of different widths and lengths, are wrapped and tied around the wearer. Most often, the lower two pieces of masi are finely decorated with stenciled designs, while the uppermost piece has a more open design composition. Women wear the upper piece as a bodice wrapped around the torso, while men usually fashion it as a sash.

“Ro Lida” Drua (double-hulled sailing canoe), 2018–19

Submitted by akwong on

This contemporary drua (double-hulled sailing canoe) was commissioned as a heritage project in Fiji to encourage the retention of canoe-building skills. Joji Marau Misaele managed the project in Fiji with the drua building team—carvers and mat-sail-makers—originally from the islands of Ogea and Vulaga in the Lau region. The team harvested trees from the forests on Ogea and completed the canoe, which has no metal components, using traditional tools, fiber lashings, and shells.