Takapau

Takapau. Floor mat. Made by Pelise Panapa. This takapau is made from launiu (coconut leaf) - it is made with the entire frond. The fronds are cut down and dried, the frond is then split down the middle. Three fronds were used to make this one takapau, each split down the middle then plaited together and the weave concludes with a plait along the edges. In traditional Tokelau houses the floor would be layered with small coral, takapau are then laid on top as a protective layer and then the finer house mats are laid on top of them.