A woman’s place is not only in the kitchen. She can make use of natural resources and skills to create a steady source of livelihood.
She can even be a businesswoman and be her own boss.
That is what traditional masi maker Igatolo Tokase believes in. The woman from Moce Island in Lau learned about preparing and designing masi since she was a young girl.
“I first started making masi when I was in class two,” Ms Tokase said.
“We the women of Delaimakotu (Moce) are born with and known for our masi making skills.”
Ms Tokase six or seven when she took her classes. Her grandmother was her teacher. “I would sit beside my grandmother and help beat masi.
“At times she would chase me because I would spoil her work.”
Ms Tokase didn’t go far in school. But that did not kill her spirit. She kept alive her dreams of being an independent women.
“I didn’t have a good education background because I only reached Class 8 in primary school.
“After school I stayed in the village and got married.”
Making masi has allowed Ms Tokase to not only earn a living but also to travel the world.
“I have travelled the world, to places like Guam and Germany because of making masi.” She said if it was not for her children, she would have stayed in the village.
“I only came to Viti Levu because my children had to attend secondary education – I have five children and currently have eight grandchildren – I consider myself a very lucky grandmother because I have a big family.”
Ms Tokase said one of the challenges of staying in Suva was the high cost of living.
“We’ve been here for more than 10 years and we pay $550 a month for rent – this is possible because of my handcraft work and that is why we shouldn’t look down on ourselves.
“My husband stays in the village and supports us by sending masi – all the things my children, husband and I have achieved are all possible because of making masi.”
On Wednesday, October 12 at the National Craft Exhibition 2022 hosted by the Fiji Arts Council (FAC) Ms Tokase came in second place and received two certificates for her traditional wedding masi set.
“I’m really thankful to the FAC for allowing women from all sorts of background to showcase their talents and handicrafts.
“The certificates we’ve won will be recognised by the Government and through that they will send us overseas – I really love the work that we do.”
She highlighted that climate change has now become a challenge for masi makers.
“The rise in climate change, has reduced the production of masi and sometimes it’s hard for us “That is why we support the fight against climate change that we are facing.”
Her advice to women is “let us not be short-sighted and and feel ashamed, when people say that our job is to only look after the house”.
“That’s not true because there are other work we can do especially right at home, as long as it rakes in income, we should be proud of ourselves.”
