Ethnology of Tokelau Islands

Headbands and Sandals

Headbands and Sandals

Formerly the natives wore narrow headbands of plaited matting similar to the matting of their malos. They wore eyeshades ( taumata) of braided coconut leaf to protect their eyes while fishing.

Sandals ( taka) were used only for walking over the sharp coral reefs. They were made with sennit braid ( kafa), but the technique has been forgotten. A temporary foot protection was made by binding sennit across the instep, under the sole, and around the ankle in a figure-of-eight pattern. Flat pieces of wood or coconut husk were sometimes bound to the soles of the feet for protection.