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'ie toga

human history
  • Other Name

    fine mat

  • Description

    mat- border of red parakeet feathers

  • Place
    Samoa/Pacific
  • Accession Number
    1953.64.1
  • Accession Date
    23 Mar 1953
  • Other Id

    33561 (ethnology)

  • Department

    Pacific

Images and documents

Images

  • mat
  • mat
  • mat

Artefact

  • Credit Line
    Collection of Auckland Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, 1953.64.1, 33561
  • Public Access Text

    Finely woven pandanus mats called ‘ie toga are the highest ranking item in the Samoan exchange system. Their red feather borders are a symbol of chiefly status. Since ancient times, these mats and the red feathers have linked Tonga, Samoa and Fiji in a complex trading relationship. Tongan navigators travelled to Fiji to obtain the red feathers of the Fijian kula lory or the kaka parrot which they took to Samoa where they exchanged them for finished ‘ie toga.

    In Samoa, ‘ie toga are presented and exchanged at weddings, funerals, title investitures and other important occasions. They are worn as kilts by the sons and daughters of chiefs for special dances. In Tonga, ancient fine mats carry illustrious personal names and are only brought out on royal occasions.

  • Cultural Origin

    Samoan

  • Primary Maker

     unknown

  • Place
    Samoa/Pacific
  • Date
    Unknown
  • Media

    feather/animal material

    plant fibre/natural fibre/fibre

  • Measurement Description
    1574.8 x 850.9mm
  • Measurement Reading

    1575mm

    851mm

  • Classification

    Mat

    Ceremonial Artefacts

    Communication Artefacts

    Clothing, Outerwear

    Personal Artefacts

  • Last Update
    20 Aug 2021
The development of the Auckland War Memorial Museum online collection is an ongoing process; updates, new images and records are added weekly. In some cases, records have yet to be confirmed by Museum staff, and there could be mistakes or omissions in the information provided.

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