The preservation of traditional Fijian art and culture through various crafts such as masi printing, weaving, and carving is crucial for maintaining a vibrant cultural identity. This importance was underscored by Maciusela Raitaula, the Cultural and Arts Manager at the Fiji Arts Council, during an interview with Fiji One News.
Raitaula noted a growing trend of male participation in these traditionally female-dominated art forms, particularly in carving and pottery. The Fiji Arts Council is actively promoting this inclusion at the National Crafts Exhibition. “The Fiji Arts Council has started to involve men because they are and should also be part of this crafting society,” Raitaula stated. He highlighted the contributions of men from regions like Kabara, Fulaga, Rewa, and Nasilai, who are becoming increasingly engaged in these crafts.
One notable participant is 74-year-old Paula Liga from Fulaga, who began carving at the age of ten. Liga expressed his desire for the art of carving to be preserved for future generations. “To all I-Taukei people listening, I know that we have many good talents. The talent of carving, weaving, and other varieties of talents and practices are there. The only piece of advice that I have is if we can rekindle these practices and also teach our children and the younger generation,” he urged.
In a unique twist, upcycling advocate Jane Naulu attended the exhibition to promote environmental sustainability. She introduced a creative project involving discarded beer cans, which have been transformed into earrings. “It’s something new that you recycle, but this one you upcycle. These are all cans of unwanted stuff thrown away, and we’ve made them into earrings. In this way, we’ll have less rubbish that’s thrown away and we can teach our local ladies or the youths if they can do this and get cash out of it,” Naulu explained.
The National Crafts Exhibition, which supports these creative endeavors, will continue for two more days from 9 AM to 7 PM at the Saint Stephens Building in Suva.
This celebration of cultural heritage not only highlights the artistic skills within the community but also fosters inclusion and environmental awareness. As tradition meets innovation, there’s a hopeful future for Fijian crafts and sustainability, ensuring these rich practices thrive for generations to come.
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