We've been able to see many of the traditional crafts here on Vava'u. On one of our first days here, we walked through the market in Neiafu. There were people selling the local fruits and vegetables, including taro, bananas, coconuts, and watermelons. What really caught our attention, though, were the carvings. There were giant wooden whales next to rows of intricate necklaces. We discovered that the necklaces are carved from cow bone, and there were an array of designs. Many were whales, but there were also geckos, sharks, hooks, and moon shapes. We saw these necklaces for sale in many places and around the necks of local and visitor alike.
One familiar craft that we've seen before is also made here on Tonga: tapa. These are paintings, typically geometric designs, pressed and then embellished by hand on the inner layer of bark from the mulberry tree. We've seen squares of this bark cloth, but also picture frames, postcards, and even dresses!
Another craft item made here in the Vava'u Group are grass mats. Our second night here, we anchored in a small cove and rowed the dinghy to shore to explore. We chose a direction to walk and soon came across a village. In the town hall building were four women seated on the ground, weaving small strips of dried grass into a huge floor mat. They said the mats take three months to make, and as soon as they finish one, they would start another. We saw smaller ones used as seat cushions in a local restaurant, and they really did make the hard wooden benches softer!
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