Ceremony Samoan Fine Mats

The giving and receiving of ie tōga fine mats is an integral part of fa a samoa samoan way.

Ceremony samoan fine mats. Fine mats became increasingly synonymous with mea samoa samoan things. It is often said among the europeans that a person. Explain that ie tōga is a special finely woven mat that has the highest cultural value in the sāmoa islands. The ie samoa is a special finely hand woven mat fastened at the hem with two rows of green and red feathers and a loose fringe on one end.

Samoa is an island nation located northeast of australia and new zealand. ʻie tōga are valued by the quality of the weave and the softness and shine of the material. Ie toga are used for special occasions such as weddings funerals bestowing of chiefly titles and. Fine mats have been passed down from generation to generation.

An ʻie tōga is a special finely woven mat that is an important item of cultural value in samoa they are commonly referred to in english as fine mats although they are never used as mats as they only have a purely cultural value. These fine mats are used for special occasions such as weddings funerals and the bestowing of chiefly titles. Traditionally woven with fine strippings of the pandanus plant the final product is silk like. They are made by women and form an important part of their role.

Everything from ie toga falas taovala etc. Where else in the world can the ultimate crime murder be forgiven with a fine mat and a sorrowful heart. The history or story is that the first find mat that travelled from samoa to tonga and back hence named ietoga had a special origin. Jul 25 2017 polynesian mats are made from the pandanus tree fala hala hand wolven and decorated w feathers shells yarn etc.

Why does the ie tōga play an important role in the samoan culture. Other items classed as tōga such as barkcloth siapo and other types of ie had declined being replaced with imported cloth and manufactured cloth ie papālagi was finding its way into the ceremonial exchange system. Many people believe that the ava ceremony is the epitome of the samoan culture because of our pride in hospitality but the ifoga. It fails to describe the true value of the sacred ceremonial robe as the samoans see it.

Have you seen an ie tōga do you have one at home. Samoans believe in following fa a samoa meaning the samoan way it refers to how they should behave by respecting and honoring each other which is. It never was and it will never be. These fine mats are as enduring as our samoan culture.

The term fine mat is not an accurate english translation for the word ie toga the most valued possession of the royal families of samoa. Fine mats ie are prized in samoa as symbols of wealth and abundance and are exchanged and offered as symbols of celebration redemption celebration honor and forgiveness.