Women in the village of Lawai are increasingly focusing on traditional handicrafts as a means of income generation. Many are now involved in pottery, contributing to their communities economically.
The Naboumasi-masi Pottery Club, led by Makelesi Adivugalei, has been pivotal in this movement. Historically, community members would gather outdoors to create pottery without dedicated facilities for protection or support.
The club, established in 1979, arose when women sought to refine their skills in creating handicrafts from locally sourced materials. One woman from Tailevu, who also married in Lawai, spurred a communal effort to build houses for women to live and work in until today.
Initially, women’s handicrafts were primarily sold to nearby hotels in the Sigatoka area. Today, there is a dedicated venue for the women to craft and showcase their pottery skills to visitors.
Currently, 22 women are members of the club, with five of them over the age of 70. The region of Lawai is recognized for its pottery, given its proximity to fertile land.
According to Makelesi, the women rely on specific clay types for their crafts, including local red clay abundant in their community. Apart from pottery, the women also create various items such as baskets, decorative pots, and other traditional crafts.
Makelesi notes that this initiative aims to create sustainable income channels for their communities, families, churches, and the nation. The women frequently market their products in hotels to gain recognition for their craftsmanship in Lawai.
She emphasizes the necessity of preserving such traditional crafts, as they were passed down from their elders.
“The harder we work, the more we will achieve,” she asserts, encouraging local women to continue their efforts in the craft sector. The group recently collected funds to support their initiatives directly from sales.
These funds are instrumental for local churches, community development, and improving the women’s craft skills, enabling them to market their products effectively.
Makelesi urges the government for assistance to help support these women in larger urban areas while also advising youth to pursue their education to secure better opportunities in life and contribute positively to their communities.