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Kato

human history
  • Other Name

    Ladies' handbag

  • Description

    This is a Taimani (diamond) shaped open top handwoven Fetu'u (Star) and Mafu (Heart) shaped, patterned kato (bag). The inside layer is tofua that measures 20mm x 20mm. This is a double skinned woven kato of tofua (natural pandanus) and possibly paongo (brown pandanus) dyed black, at the bottom tip they measure 25mm x 25mm before being split into 25mm lengths and is woven in vertical (black) and horizontal (natural).

    The pattern has four fetu'u in black, three across the mid-point and one in the centre at the bottom, with a mafu on either side of it. There are also 45 degree angled lines, alternating in colour that come to triangles at the centre in the upper third of the kato. The pattern is the same on the other side only the colours are reversed, vertical (natural) and horizontal (black). The handle is a single rolled four plait with natural and black tofua, making a spiral pattern. Tofua is used to sew the inside and outside weaving together. A female kato possibly used for church or special occasion.

  • Place
  • Accession Number
    1953.155.8
  • Accession Date
    20 Oct 1953
  • Other Id

    33811.1 (ethnology)

  • Department
bag, 1953.155.8, 33811.1, Cultural Permissions Apply

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