Elements of cultural expression: crafts

The Fataluku people maintain a strong connection to their rugged forested mountain and coastal landscapes. These landscapes provide important ecological and biodiversity functions that are used by the Fataluku people to weave, make cotton, pottery and handicrafts.

A number of traditional craft traditionally produced by the Fataluku people were identified in this research project, including basketry and weaving, pottery, children’s toys, and jewellery. To learn more about each element, selecting the element photo will take you to its individual page, where you will find photographs and videos describing how it is made and played.

A number of different types of nian fa’i, products woven from palm leaves, were documented. Woven products include leu hina, storage baskets; pari pari hina, woven fans; neru moko hina and leu hina, baskets for tossing grain; meci leu moko hina, baskets for catching sea worms; likas hina, a wide shallow basket; rai soko hina, a woven basket for carrying food while travelling; and ulu halivan hina, a small woven palm leaf container for the umbilical cord.

Sisiran sile, textiles, made from anukai ii, handspun cotton, were also documented. This process involves separating cotton from the seed, then spinning lengths of thread that are wound into balls. This thread is dyed with natural plant products, ash and clay, and then strung onto a simple wooden looms and woven into colourful and intricate cloth.

Puhu fa’i, pottery, is made by hand with clay and white sand, and is fired on an outdoor bonfire. These pots are used to store and cook food.

Ililaka sese, a wooden spinning top, is carved from wood and released with a ratton rope to spin on the ground.

Ke’u ke’u fa’i, handicrafts produced from turtle shell, are carved into jewellery and other accessories.

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