Taʻovala
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A taʻovala is an article of Tongan dress, a mat wrapped around the waist, worn by men and women, at all formal occasions, much like the tie for men in the Western culture. The taʻovala is also commonl
A just married couple still in their wedding taʻovala
Different types of taʻovala worn at funerals
ʻIe tōga
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An ʻie tōga is a special finely woven mat that is an important item of cultural value in Samoa. They are commonly referred to in English as "fine mats" although they are never used as mats as they onl
Taʻovala
…wedding, is much larger, finely woven, and often very nicely decorated. This fine variant of taʻovala is known as the ngafingafi, and corresponds to the 'Ie Tōga of the Samoans. The value of individual ngafingafi is determined by its colour, which may range from bleached white to a rich shade of tan or even…
Common type of ʻie toga with a coarse weave sold at a market in Samoa.
Three matai chiefs, the two older men bearing the symbols of orator status – the fue (flywhisk made of organic sennit rope with a wooden handle) over their left shoulder. The central elder holds the orator's wooden staff (toʻotoʻo) of office. His garment is an ʻie tōga. The other two men wear tapa cloth with patterned designs.