ʻIe tōga

An ʻie tōga is a special finely woven mat that is an important item of cultural value in Samoa.

They are important in gift exchanges during cultural ceremonies and events including matai chief title bestowals, weddings and funerals.

The completion of ʻie tōga can involve a public celebration and presentation with the women parading and displaying their fine mats for all to see.

[2] ʻIe tōga are never used as an actual floor mat in the western sense, functioning only as an item of cultural value.

They are exchanged and presented at weddings and funerals, and at special occasions such as the blessing of a newly built fale (house) or the opening of a new church.

More common types of 'ie toga with a coarser weave are made from laufala, a variety of pandanus which has a darker green colour than the lauʻie plant.

The actual translation of "tōga" is "treasured" or "valuable" and the term also refers collectively to prestige goods produced by women for ceremonial exchanges.

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.