'Ato ta'ita'i

human history

'Ato ta’ita’i. Hand bag. This 'ato ta'ita'i has been made to form a rectangular base and four sides with an opening at the top. It has been constructed by plain right angle lalaga (weave) made of lau paogo (coarse pandanus) lines the interior of the 'ato (bag). The exterior layer of the 'ato has been woven from lau fala (softer pandanus). The exterior portrays mostly a plain right angle lalaga. However the two widest sides portray three woven diamonds across the centre then one woven diamond on each short side of the 'ato. A dark brown dyed lau fala has been used to portray the weft of the lalaga across the exterior with a warp of naturally plain, pale yellow coloured lau fala. The 'au (handles) are also made of lau fala in both the dark brown and natural colours. They have been fili (braided) using a number of lau fala. Two circular domes have also been made from lau fala and attached to one of the longest sides. Adjacent to this, two small fili tolu (three-ply) loops have been attached so the edges can be fastened to close the 'ato ta'ita'i. This style of 'ato could be of personal use such as shopping or for lotu (church).

Accession number: 1986.241 Last Update: 14 Sept 2023
Other Name

Hand bag (English)

Place
Samoa/Pacific
Accession Number

1986.241

Accession Date

20 Oct 1986

Other Id

52304 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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