Ceremonial Fine Mat
Name/Title
Ceremonial Fine MatEntry/Object ID
E-29Description
Palm fiber mat with red, pink, and maroon yarn woven interchangeably along the bottom, above the straw fringe. White feathers are sewn in with the yarn, while the name "Foketi S." written at the bottom left corner.Use
A ceremonial mat, or an ʻie tōga, is a finely woven mat. They are used in gift exchanges, ceremonies and events. Some examples are chief title bestowals, weddings and funerals. They are sometime worn around the waist on special occasions.Context
ʻIe tōga are often passed down from generation to generation. They are highly valued and sometimes they are given their own names. A fine ceremonial mat can take months or even years to make. The mats are never used as floor mats, despite the name. They represent wealth of Samoan families. ʻIe tōga are made from pandanus leaves that have been boiled and bleached in the sun, then cut into thin strips to weave.Collection
El Camino College Anthropology MuseumCategory
Ethnography
Anthropology
Acquisition
Accession
95.1.17Ethnography
Cultural Region
Region
PolynesiaContinent
OceaniaCulture/Tribe
Samoan