The bumpy and rusty ride failed to stop a group of women from Nadroga from showcasing their lapita pottery for the first time at the Fiji National Women’s Expo this year.
Kelesita Tasere representing the Nakabuta Women’s Club said that ‘Kele ni Dane ” (lapita ) remains was only found in Dalawai and Nayawa in Sigatoka.
Adi Vika Lailai from Lawai women’s club said transporting their pottery was the biggest challenge because they were travelling with other women from Nadi.
“If one pottery breaks it would be time consuming and costly,” she said.
The Metropolitan Museum of Arts defines Lapita to an ancient Pacific Ocean archaeological culture which is believed to be the common ancestors of the contemporary cultures of Polynesia, Micronesia and some areas of Melanesia.
She said the process to make one small pottery involved a week of burning, polishing and drying the pottery.
Another participant, Lice Ratumuri, said they were enjoying their time at the expo with people visiting their booth to buy pottery.
The items can be used for home decoration and prices range from $8 to $200.
They also thanked the Ministry for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation for organising the expo.