TO'I FAFAU
HAFTED ADZES
The hafted stone adzes in the Tiapapata collection are made from Oceanic Basalt and lashed with coconut sennit ('afa) to various species of conservation-managed hardwoods including milo (Pacific rosewood), fau (beach hibiscus), kuava (guava), and maki. The adze shown to the right of this page. was selected for the "Our Sea of Islands" exhibition at the Capitol Modern, Honolulu, Hawaii, a show that opened in June 2024 and will close in December 2024.
The hafted adze immediately below this text was presented to the Great Council of Chiefs of Fiji as a gift from His Highness Afioga Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese marking the re-establishment of the traditional governance body of Fiji, March 2024.
The hafted adzes below are from the latest to be made at Tiapapata and are currently avaialble in Australia.
O le to‘i fafau, o se tasi o meafaigaluega pito sili ona tāua i Samoa anamua ‘auā lona fa’aāogaina i le fausiaina o maota ma laoa matagōfie o Samoa, toe talafeagai lelei ma le tau ma le si‘osi‘omaga. E lē gata i lea, ‘ae na fa‘aāogaina fo’i le to‘i fafau e tā ai va‘a, tānoa ma le tele o mea taulima mo le fa‘atinoina o le aganu‘u faitino. Efaigatā ona malamalama tagata i nei onapō pē fa‘afefea ona gaosia ma fa‘aaoga le to‘i fafau ‘auā o se tasi lea o ‘oa e lē faitino. O mafaufauga ua ala mai ai tomai ‘ese‘ese mo le gaosiaina o ‘oa fa‘aleaganu‘u nei ma ua silia i le selau tausaga talu ona lē toe faia ni to‘i ma‘a māo‘i i Samoa pē toe va‘aia fo‘i se to‘i fafau ua fa‘aāogaina.
The hafted stone adze was perhaps the most important tool in ancient Samoa, enabling the tufuga or master craftsman to build highly aesthetic and practical homes and meeting houses perfectly suited to the climate and natural environment.
Hafted adzes were used to carve boats, ceremonial bowls, and a myriad of wood products in Samoa’s richtangible cultural heritage. The making and use of the hafted stone adze is also one of the most enigmatic of skills in Samoa’s rich intangible cultural heritage. Over 100 years may have passed since the last stone adze was made and used in the archipelago.
Hafted adzes made at the Tiapapata Art Centre are available to collectors who wish to purchase a unique object that has its roots in a bygone era.