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1914.56.16

Sample of plaited sinnet-binding bound around a wooden core. [FC 26/07/2011]

On display

1914.56.16

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Collection type
Object
Description
Sample of plaited sinnet-binding bound around a wooden core. [FC 26/07/2011]
Long description
Sample of plaited sinnet-binding bound around a wooden core. The sinnet is two toned, dark brown and light brown. [FC 26/07/2011]
Geographical reference
Fiji
Oceania > Melanesia > Fiji
Lau Islands Lakemba Island
Person
Field collector Arthur Maurice Hocart
PRM source Arthur Maurice Hocart
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1912
Date collected
1909-1912
Acquisition information
Donated: 1914
Materials and processes
Material Sennit Coconut Seed Fibre Plant, Material Wood Plant, Process Bound, Process Plaited
Dimensions
Length: max 359 mm of wooden core
Object numbers
Accession number: 1914.56.16
Research and responses

This object was examined by Steven Hooper (UEA) during a research visit in December 2011. He made the following comments: This would have been collected between 1909 and 1912. The colours would be called red (the light brown) and black (the dark brown) by Fijians. This and 1914.56.15 were almost certainly commissioned by Hocart 1909-1912 when he was living on Lakembau. [El.B 15/12/2011]

Associated publications
Featured in colour on page 179 of 'Fiji - Art and Life in the Pacific' by Steven Hooper, UEA 2016 wuth the caption '114 LALAWA (SAMPLE OF COIR CORD BINDING). Fiji, Lu, Lakeba: c.1910 Coir, wood, metal L. 32.7 cm Oxford, PRM: 1914.56.16. Acquired 1914; collected by Arthur Hocart 1909-12; inscribed (not in Hocart's hand) 'I lawa lawa sample of sennit binding for house beams, manu luva design. LAKEMBA ID, FIJI IDS Pres. by A. M. Hocart, 1914' This and number 115 were commissioned by Arthur Hocart when he was a schoolmaster at Tubou on Lakeba Island in Lau, eastern Fiji. Lau was famed for elaborate lalawa or lawalawa binding, done by men with red and black coir cordage (magimagi). The Centenary Methodist church at Tobou, built in 1935, and several chiefly houses, still have beautiful patterned bindings on the roof timbers. Ratu Popi Seniloli's house at Bau shows elaborate bindings entirely covering the beams (figure 66). 'Manu luva' is probably a mistranscription of manulua, the Tongan name for the 'two-bird' design. [FB 8/11/2016]

Search terms: Dwelling, Specimen, Cordage, Building Part, Cord