In 1978, an innovative artisan named Aliti Roko introduced a unique blend of wool weaving with traditional masi design, capturing the attention of The Fiji Times on September 8 of that year. Aliti drew inspiration from pseudo-Persian rugs created by a hospital-bound friend.
Crafting a standard rug measuring 4 feet by 2 feet and 6 inches required approximately two weeks and 16,000 knots, with Aliti stating that these rugs could endure “a lifetime.” With a loan from the Fiji Development Bank, she established her own cottage industry and enlisted 12 women from the Lami area to assist in the weaving process.
Aliti sourced pure wool from New Zealand, coloring it in traditional masi shades of black, off-white, and various browns. The designs were printed on a backing, and the wool was then knotted tightly through it. This approach allowed flexibility in production, as the women could complete the rugs at their convenience by taking the materials home.
Despite selling some rugs and fulfilling special orders, Aliti eventually ceased production due to the lack of a consistent market. Priced at $95, she described the rugs as works of art, likening their value to that of a painting, and noted that they were durable enough to maintain their shape over time.