From delicate fibers to vibrant patterns, Niue’s oldest art form has been intricately woven in a book. Weavers of Men and Women written by Dr. Hilke Thode-Arora explores the ancient art of weaving in Niue.
The German anthropologist returned to Niue recently, two decades after her initial research for the Berlin Museum, to share the fascinating stories behind the threads.
The book was a three year Project gives an overview on Niuean weaving materials such as lau fa, lau niu, pia, the kinds of kato, pulou and mats woven and how they are classified by the Niuean weavers in Auckland and Niue and what they are used for.
The book was published in 2009 and has now been made available here in Niue. She spoke with BCNews to share more about the book.
She learnt that weaving is much more than the intertwining strands but that it feeds into many areas of Niuean social life. She thanked many of the ladies involved in the Project, especially the women of Makefu Village.
A few of the pieces of Niuean weaving are now displayed at the prestigious new museum called Humboldt Forum located at the center of Berlin as a result of this project. The book can be Purchased from the Tahiono Gallery at the Commercial Center.
Dr Arora is currently a curator and is the Head of Department-Oceania, and Provenance Research Liaison Office of the Five Continents Museum in Munich, Germany.