Te ato taa

Te ato taa. Basket of peeled and dried young coconut leaves. This ato is rectangular in shape and was possibly woven over a solid rectangular form to keep the shape. Kaumoe (very young coconut leaflets) are split and cooked, with the split fibres becoming taa through this process. This ato is created with fine white taa fibres woven in a pattern of single check to create the soft and fine outer layer. The internal layer of this ato is woven from lau fala (pandanus leaves) in thicker, sturdier strips, in a pattern of single check. The ato has two handles with an incorporated lid. This ato taa was used by ladies attending church.