Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Taupou, post: 3853400, member: 45&quot;]I agree, it is a Samoan siapo.&nbsp; However, when it comes to what the symbols &quot;mean,&quot; that is not a concept that really applies. </p><p><br /></p><p>There are only 10 design elements in traditional Samoan patterns, and they are named after elements in nature or the Samoan culture (ie. the net, pandanus leaf, starfish, banana pod, etc.)&nbsp; However, they can be combined in endless combinations, to make designs or patterns which may have meaning only to the makers.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>It is the buyer who wants a &quot;story&quot; to accompany every item, that complicates matters.&nbsp; Sometimes there isn&#039;t one.&nbsp; Sometimes one will be invented to satisfy the buyer.&nbsp; So I wouldn&#039;t be concerned about trying to find what something means.</p><p><br /></p><p>The main thing is how the item was decorated, which will identify where it originated. Fiji, for example, uses stencils, while Samoa uses either&nbsp; freehand drawing (<i>siapo mamanu</i>), or rubbing on an <i>upeti</i> (<i>siapo tasino</i>.)&nbsp; This was made by first transferring, by rubbing repeatedly, the basic design pattern carved on a carved wooden <i>upeti, </i>to the tapa cloth.&nbsp; Then the decorator highlighted certain design elements repeated on the upeti panels with darker dyes, to create the distinctive design pattern. The elements chosen for highlights, determine the overall &quot;look,&quot; and offer unlimited patterns, which don&#039;t usually have names or meanings.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>If it sounds complicated...it is.&nbsp; And very time-consuming.&nbsp; But depending on the skill of the artist/artists, you may end up with a true work of art.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in