Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
A lavalava, sometimes written as lava-lava, also known as an ' ie, short for 'ie lavalava, is an article of daily clothing traditionally worn by Polynesians and other Oceanic peoples. It consists of a single rectangular cloth worn similarly to a wraparound skirt or kilt. [1] The term lavalava is both singular and plural in the Samoan language.
The skirt is usually a wrap skirt or 'ie lavalava, with ties around the waist. [3] For formal occasions or performance, decorations of tapa cloth, woven flax or other material may be layered around the waist over the skirt. [4] In recent years, different styles and improvisations have been added.
They represent most of the traditional wealth of Samoan families. 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. ʻIe tōga are sometimes worn at special occasions, around the waist, similar to a lavalava. At funerals ʻie ...
Shorts are an alternative to an ie lava lava. For events or work attire, the traditional ladies clothing is the puletasi [15] which is a matching skirt and tunic with Samoan designs. The lava-lava is a sarong which may be worn by men or women. They are of different patterns and colors, but tend to be plain for men who may wear it as part of an ...
On White Sunday, Samoan women and children dress completely in white clothing. Some of them trim the clothes with the other two colours of the Samoan flag, red and blue. Men will wear white shirts with either white slacks or the traditional 'ie faitaga form of the lavalava. If a lavalava is worn it need not be white.
Samoa has different stories about the origins of different names and villages. For the origin of Sale'aula village, one version tells of two brothers, Le'aula and Letufuga. Le'aula founded the village of Saleaula ( Sa Le'aula , family of Le'aula), [ 3 ] and Letufuga founded Safotulafai .
Grass skirts were introduced to Hawaii by immigrants from the Gilbert Islands around the 1870s to 1880s [3] although their origins are attributed to Samoa as well. [4] [5] According to DeSoto Brown, a historian at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, it is likely Hawaiian dancers began wearing them during their performances on the vaudeville circuit of the United States mainland.
The Samoan taualuga is known for its graceful refinement, subtle hand and facial gestures, and the stately poise of the dancers movements and postures. [23] The elegant nature of the dance is emphasized by the contrasting "aiuli" or "fa'aluma" performers who, often spontaneously, dance alongside and behind the taupou with exaggerated gestures ...