Rotuman Fine Mat Weaving

Rotuma is well known for its fine mats and in 2006, TTFB provided funding to facilitate the recognition and conservation of the skills in Rotuman Fine Mat Weaving. The project’s key objective was to ensure the nurturing and sustainability of fine mat weaving skills and knowledge thereby raising awareness on its cultural significance and indeed its heritage. The training sought to identify different types of mat, its varying sizes and its distinctive meanings in the Rotuman culture. In conjunction with the Fiji Arts Council, workshops for young women were hosted in Suva, Lautoka and Rotuma to revive, train and transfer the cultural art skills and knowledge of fine mat weaving.