Women from Levukana Village in the Lomaloma District of Vanuabalavu Island turned out in large numbers on the second day of the Vanuabalavu Expo. They showcased their diverse handicraft skills, including woven mats, fans, masi cloth, woven baskets, coconut oil, and woven wall hangings.
Among them was Kini Salote Tabaiwalu, who stood out for her commitment to serving the women of her village. She was among the top sellers at the expo.
“I have been preparing for this expo since January, collecting all the items I needed to sell,” Mrs. Tabaiwalu said. “Most of the items I sold at the expo were made from coconut trees that we have on the island.”
She explained that she used the softest part of the coconut tree to weave fans and baskets while extracting oil from coconuts to make scented coconut oil. Mrs. Tabaiwalu supports her five children by selling her handicrafts.
She learned the art of weaving through participation in women’s workshops in Suva and Vanuabalavu. In addition to this, she also runs a tie-dye business on the side to support her family.
“I enjoy doing all these because I make use of all the natural resources that are readily available on the island,” she said. “The money I get from selling all these items at the expo will help support my family’s needs.”
The Vanuabalavu Expo ends today.