Te ato laufala

human history

Te ato laufala. Basket made from pandanus leaves. This ato laufala is rectangular in shape and double layered. The commencement is located at the base of the ato, seen in the thick strips of lau fala (pandanus leaves) woven in lalaga, or single check. As the ato progresses up the sides, the strips are split. There is an internal layer of lau fala which is sturdy and keeps the rectangular form. The outer layer of the ato is woven in black, natural, and pink strips in right angle plaiting, with horizontal strips in a two-twill pattern, but the vertical strips alternating, creating two levels of chevron patterning. Often, a needle made from the strong part of lau niu (coconut midrib) is used to combine and 'sew' the two layers together along the top rim of the ato with natural strips of laufala. The two handles are likely made of kolokolo (2-ply coconut sennit) then encased with woven lau fala. An ato laufala like this example can be used by ladies as an accessory for storing items during Church attendance.

Accession number: 1987.78 Last Update: 1 Sept 2026
Other Name

Basket made from pandanus leaves (English)

Place
Nanumea/Tuvalu
Accession Number

1987.78

Accession Date

28 Apr 1987

Other Id

52436 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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