NIHMEI, Nai; Carrying basket (Futuna Island style)
Weaving in the Pacific region is traditionally carried out by women, as the ephemeral as well as repetitive qualities of this art form are often associated with the cycle of life.
Objects such as baskets and mats are made for everyday use as well as for ceremonial occasions, and a woman's weaving skills are highly appreciated and acknowledged by the wider community. The pandanus leaf, the primary material, is treated differently for different forms of weaving before use. Originally natural dyes were used to create variation and emphasise the motif, but in more recent years the use of artificial dyes has also become quite common.
Nai Nihmei was born on Futuna Island (Vanuatu). This carrying basket by Nihmei is made from pandanus leaves dried on the tree, a technique used by Futuna weavers which makes their baskets much stronger than those made of pandanus leaves that have been dried after being cut. This means that Futuna weavers can produce very fine, strong carrying baskets. The design of this carrying basket is called nufe (the legs of the caterpillar).