Kato lau fa

human history

Kato lau fā. Basket made of pandanus leaf. This kato (basket) is made from lau fā (pandanus leaf). It is rectangular in form with an exposed opening at the top. The two short sides fold inwards near the opening when gathered at the kavei (handles). Its base is flat. A border of purple dyed lau fā lines the base of the kato. As the exterior extends, lau hika (the application of cutting lines into the pandanus leaf to direct and section the pinnules for weaving) can be seen from the base and how this has been utilized to create the exteriors geometric mata pelē. Sections of lalaga (plain weaving) can be seen across the exterior as well as complex lalaga fakafiti that has been used to also define geometric patterns through plain and naturally coloured lau fā and black dyed lau fā. Some of the dyed lau fā has faded over time. Both sides of the kato portray the woven text of 'NIUE IS'. Two kavei have been applied as separate components to the kato. They are also made from woven lalaga in plain and naturally coloured lau fā and black dyed lau fā. They feature on both sides of the kato and begin from its base. Two small braided loops of lau fā have been attached to the one side of the opening for the purpose of fastening over two nodes also made from lau fā and attached to the opposite side of the kato. A bind of lau fā has been applied to finish the rim of the opening. This kato also portrays a style of lalaga for the lining.

Accession number: 1966.207 Last Update: 16 Sept 2019
Other Name

Pandanus basket (English)

Place
Niue
Accession Number

1966.207

Accession Date

1966

Other Id

38797 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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Kato lau fa, 1966.207, 38797, Photographed by Richard Ng, digital, 16 Jan 2019, Cultural Permissions Apply Cultural Permissions Apply
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