Kiekie (clothes)

The woman is wearing a kiekie made of plastic threads. The round shapes are known as vana (sea hedgehog).

Kiekie is an accessory of the clothes in Tonga , which like a belt is attached around the waist. Women, and now some men, wear kiekie on semi-formal occasions. Taʻovala are worn by both sexes on highly official occasions . The accessory is not necessary in everyday life, but some women also wear a kiekie as comfortable jewelry every day .

layout

Kiekie are something in between a mat and a grass skirt (manafau) : A waist band with numerous cords or strips attached to it. The hangings should be partially transparent so that the skirt or the tupenu that is worn underneath is still visible. The cords can be short like a miniskirt, or reach down to the sock. The most common is a length to the knee. A variety of materials are used:

• Stripes of pandanus leaves, often dyed in bright colors.
• Strips of hibiscus bast, called fau .
• Kaka , the fibers on growing palm fronds . These are usually painted and cut into shape.
• ordinary cord or string
• small slices of coconut shells that are chained together.
• New Zealand flax , a material of the piupiu (grass skirts) of the Māori .

Special forms

Salusalu is a long kiekie that is worn especially in Ha'apai . Another related item of clothing is the sisi , in which strips are made from sī leaves ( Cordyline fruticosa , ti) or braided maile leaves. With this accessory, however, fragrant flowers and fruits that are attached to the waistband are more important. Sisi are worn by both sexes during dance performances.

Manufacturing

Making kiekie is one of the Koloa skills . Every woman should be able to master these skills, and some schools also offer lessons. Nowadays, however, some women also specialize in making and selling the products in the market.

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literature

• Niko Besnier: On the Edge of the Global: Modern Anxieties in a Pacific Island Nation. In: Contemporary Issues in Asia and the Pacific. Stanford University Press 2011: p. 73. [1] ISBN 0804777640 , 9780804777643
• IF Helu: Critical essays: Cultural perspectives from the Southseas. 1999.
• Sela Jane Hopgood: Tongan traditional wear with a modern twist. In: Radio New Zealand , www.rnz.co.nz May 30, 2017. (2020-05-13)
• Jehanne Teilhet-Fis: Clothes in Tradition: The Ta'ovala and Kiekie as Social Text and Aesthetic Markers of Custom and Identity in Contemporary Tongan Society. Pt. I. In: Pacific Arts. Pacific Arts Association, No. 5, January 1992, pp. 44-52 [2]

Web links

• thecoconet.tv (2020-05-13)

Individual evidence

1. ^ Besnier: On the Edge of the Global , 2011, p. 73.
2. ↑ Hopgood: Tongan traditional wear with a modern twist. Radio New Zealand, May 30, 2017.