For decades, women in the highlands of Naitasiri kept alive the ancient practice of weaving baskets using the abundant natural resources near their villages.
Unfortunately, many women have lost interest in the age-old skill, giving way to newer influences and lifestyles.
But Miliakere Lewasau is someone who will not let her ancestors’ knowledge of the art slip through her fingers.
The 72-year-old from Nasoqo Village in Naitasiri, continues to weave.
This newspaper caught up with Ms Lewasau at her home as she returned from voting during pre-polling in the 2022 General Election.
She said her baskets were designed from climbing plants called wa me or wa midri, a type of vine with long aerial roots The septuagenarian said she learned to weave after she got married and moved to her husband’s village.
“I learned from a someone who had come to our village to teach the women.
“A lady from Wainibuka and I were the only ones who carried through this practice of weaving. Unfortunately, she (the Wainibuka woman) has passed away so it is only me,” she said.
Ms Lewasau said the vines had to be soaked in water first before the inside of the plant was scraped to get the final product used for weaving.
“My son goes to fetch the plant before I can start preparing.
“The pattern of weaving is just like weaving a mat.”
She said the final product was used to make fishing baskets, building houses and binding house rafters.
Ms Lewasau said when the baskets were ready, she would sell them in Suva.
“I sell my baskets at the Suva bus stand and also at the flea market.
“I sometimes take around five or six baskets and sell them all and come back home and make some more.
“I also sell them to market vendors because they use baskets to carry and pack their tomatoes and other vegetables. She said money earned from the sales of her baskets had helped sustain her family financially.
“I also teach my family how to weave because this can be their way of making money in the future.”
Ms Lewasau said the knowledge of weaving was fast disappearing in the village. “I often go to nearby villages and teach the women how to weave so they can have a source of income for themselves.”
Her message to village women was to make use of their natural resources and not to wait around for government assistance.
“We have the land, water, the sea and natural resources which we could use to earn a living and continue to practice our traditional art and skills.”
