Bishop Museum Mats Inspire Majuro Weavers
The women of the main Marshall Islands are considered the finest and most productive weavers in Micronesia. However, since World War II there has been a gradual loss of knowledge of the traditional form of fine weaving and the beautiful symmetrical designs that characterized Marshallese clothing mat-making artistry. Traditional leader and activist Maria Kabua Fowler and Dr. Irene Taafaki, University of the South Pacific professor, felt it critical to revive and share traditional mat designs.
Fowler visited Bishop Museum’s Cultural Resources collections, and was shown the Museum’s fine collection of Marshallese mats. Fowler knew immediately that the mats she saw would inspire and instruct contemporary weavers and spur the re-creation of traditional designs and weaving styles that had been long lost. This discovery of skills from the past as demonstrated by items cared for in museum collections underscores the importance of Bishop Museum’s cultural collections. They provide information and stimulate appreciation and respect for traditional skills. They help inspire rebirth to art and practices that otherwise could be lost.
With the support of Bishop Museum, photos of 19 th and early 20 th century
Marshallese mats in their collection were shared with Marshallese weavers. In November
2006 a competition was launched to encourage weavers to recreate the designs and fine
weaves of the past. Working closely with local partners – the Marshall Islands Visitors
Authority, Marshall Islands Resort and an NGO ‘Women United Together in the Marshall
Islands’ the competition offered a first prize of $1000.
More than 20 mats from Arno, Ailinglaplap, Ujae, Mejit, Kwajalein and Majuro atolls were on exhibit featuring patterns borrowed from Bishop Museum mat collections that have not been seen in contemporary times. Iroij (high Chief) Michael Kabua also exhibited family heirloom mats. Bishop Museum photos were also on display. Nineteen master weavers the mats in varying shades of white, and tan through black. They incorporated old and new designs with some embellished with hibiscus fiber embroidery and the use of beach burr (ata ata).
Sponsored in part by Bishop Museum, the exhibition of these mats and an auction were held April 26,2007, at the Marshall Islands Resort in Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands. In Revival of Traditional Marshallese Mats: JAKI-ed, contemporary weavers once again used ancient motifs of crabs, abstracted images of frigate and long tail birds, the underbellies of turtles, and islands waiving in the sea on the borders of finely woven pandanus clothing mats. The new mats represent recognition and appreciation of Marshallese weaving skills and culture.
One of the mats was purchased at the auction and is now in the collection of Bishop Museum. The auction raised about $5000, which went directly to the individual weavers who created the works of art. The auction also stimulated interest among private collectors and other U.S. Museums. The continuation of mat weaving presents a viable economic asset compatible with the environment and the culture. Plans for more workshops where master weavers can pass along their skills are in the development stages.
This is the second in a series of collaborations between Maria Kabua Fowler and Dr. Irene Taafaki. The first collaboration began in 2001 with a Marshallese Herbal Plant Workshop and culminated in their recent book Traditional Medicine of the Marshall Islands- the Women, the Plants, the Treatments (University of the South Pacific Press and available at Na Mea Hawaii in Honolulu, Hawaii).
The Republic of the Marshall Islands is located just north of the equator and 2400 miles southwest of Hawaii. 1,225 tiny islands form 29 atolls and five single low islands.
For further information about the project, exhibit and auction, contact: Dr. Irene Taafaki: Taafaki_i@usp.ac.fj. For more information about Bishop Museum, call (808) 847-3511 or visit www.bishopmuseum.org.
(Jpegs are available. Email bishoppr@bishopmuseum.org)
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