Tokelau Handicrafts

in Keen Demand

THE fine weaving done by the Tokelau people has made their mats, hats and fans much sought after; in fact, Tokelau weav ing is generally regarded as the best in the Pacific.

Supplies have been irregular until recently, and tourists getting even as near to the Tokelau Group as Apia still find the handicrafts hard to obtain because of infrequent ship ping and the lack of organised sale of these products.

The women’s committees in the three atolls are now producing their best for sale at Apia by Ben Pereira, himself a Tokelau man.

The comparatively rare tuluma,, or canoe boxes, are produced by the£ men from tau’anave, a beautifully grained hardwood. These ares hollowed, box and lid, from ones solid section of the tree trunk.

The whole process is done by handi with miniature adzes: polishings with smooth coral gives the finish ing touch.

These boxes were originally usedt for preserving fish-hooks or valu ables.

In the event of a canoe upset,; the Tokelauan merely rights his canoe and looks for his tulumaj which he knows will be floating om the surface not far away.

The smaller tuluma have become fashionable, in Fiji especially, as women’s handbags. They are light! and easily slung from the shoulden to carry a few of the hundred and] one things women usually keep im their handbags.