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Samoan Material Culture

Miscellaneous baskets

Miscellaneous baskets

In Savaii, small baskets similar in technique to the breadfruit cover (Plate XIV D, 2, 3) were used by children for carrying fruit. They were made of three and four midrib sections, each carrying three leaflets on either side. The plait and closure of the bottom was identical with the Fitiutuan cover. They were held to be a recent innovation, which they probably were, as there seems no particular use for small parcels in Samoan life, while larger ones are met by the use of the 'ato basket. The pulou 'ulu, however, seems to have had a specific use supported by myth. Larger baskets were made in the Tokelau Islands with the same technique.

The basket figured in Plate XIV, D, 4 resembles the Cook Island ohini, said to be derived from the Tahitian oini. The technique is somewhat different to the usual type, but again local authorities maintain that they are new to Samoa.