Women inspired by traditional skills training in Labasa
The training include traditional mat weaving, art and craft using traditional methods, baking and sewing.
Income diversification and tradition preservation were shared to women in Labasa engaged in traditional and contemporary skills training.
These 15 women were engaged in the Labasa Multicultural Centre (LMC)-organised training at the Labasa Bible Church, yesterday.
The training include traditional mat weaving, art and craft using traditional methods, baking and sewing.
The workshop started on Monday and will run for three days each week for the rest of the year. Traditional mat weaving was in yesterday’s programme.
LMC administrator, Prabha Naicker, said preservation of traditional skills like mat weaving and art and craft were the major motive of such engagements.
Ms Naicker said Fijians must safeguard their culture and ensure that our next generation could continue the skill for cultural prosperity. First-timer Mere Tuiraki, 28, felt a sense of pride to finally learn how to weave mats.
Ms Tuiraki said income diversification prompted her to take part in the training.
“My husband is a cattle and piggery farmer and I have a small cake business so, exploring other means to earn, inspired me to join,” she said.
“For us iTaukei, the younger generation must come up and involve themselves in mat weaving and other traditional skills because our elders will not be around to continue this skill.”
The oldest participant, Sereima
Tuiraki, 64, had prior basic understanding of mat weaving, however, believes the workshop enhaced her understanding.
Ms Tuiraki, who is the motherin-law of the youngest participant, said she wanted to impart these skills to the younger generation. “I encourage women who have basic or no knowledge on mat weaving to contact Labasa Multicultural Centre to organise workshops in their respective areas,” she said. Ms Tuiraki will lead participants in baking classes on Monday. Ms Naicker said the workshop also promoted multiculturalism as participants got a chance to learn and socialise with other women.
This programme was supported under the Department for Heritage and Arts, with special funding. A financial literacy workshop will be organised for the participants after the skills training.