Tonga may open a lucrative market for Samoan woven fine mats

Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 19 MAY 2023: The culturally significant Samoan fine mat – Ietoga may open a lucrative export market for Samoan women weavers.

A high level delegation from the Kingdom of Tonga led by Lady ‘Asinate Fakatulolo, a noble and wife of the Governor of Vava’u Island, is currently in Samoa to meet local Women Weavers in the effort to secure a consistent market supply of the Samoan fine mats for cultural use by Tongans both in the kingdom and overseas.

Also in attendance is the current Miss Face of Beauty Queen of Oceania, Miss Vasalua Tupou.

The connection was made through the Samoa members, Felise and Elisapeta Naufahu of the newly formed NGO, Segaula at the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel this morning.

The Tongan delegation took time to view and admire some of the fine mats provided by the A’ufaga Women’s Committee that were displayed during the Segaula launch.

Elisapeta Tualaulelei of A’ufaga is one of the best weavers in the country and has won various awards in the Finemats weaving competitions through the Ministry of Women in the past years.

The Tongan delegation will be in Samoa for a week and is visiting various village Women Committees with specific interest in their fine mats and women handicrafts.

Members of the Tongan delegation led by Lady ‘Asinate Fakatulolo visiting Samoa for a week.

According to Segaula members, Tonga is probably the only country that could market the Samoan fine mats internationally given the value and use of the artefact in their cultural and dress presentations such as the tauvala.

Previous sale of the Samoan fine mat to Tongan buyers through intermediaries, attracted lucrative US dollar prices, but the main issue was the reliability and credibility of suppliers.

Under the Samoan Governments $1 million tala District and Village Development project, various women’s groups have channelled the funds into reviving the fine mat and other significant Samoan artefacts that have proven to have a market demand not only locally but overseas.

The women of Moataa used the funds from their development project to revive their embroidery mats- Fala Su’i that found a quick market after posting their products on social media mainly to overseas Samoans.

Tonga couple Felise & Elisapeta Naufahu taking live video footage of the fine mats livestreamed to interested parties watching from Tonga.