Ambae Island's Heritage Mats Return

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By Elton Barley

50-year-old traditional mats or ‘bwana’ from the island of Ambae are currently on display at the Vanuatu Kaljarol Senta (VKS) after spending more than forty years in Canada.

The mats were taken to Canada by Canadian researchers, Margaret Rodman and her husband Bill Rodman whilst working on the island of Ambae from 1970 to 1975.

The bwana, which was given to the researchers as gifts while attending custom ceremonies on the island contain some rare patterns, which are no longer used on the island.

Upon the mats returned to Vanuatu, VKS identified that the researchers, took 38 mats with them back to Canada after living and working in Wailegi village, on the East of Ambae.

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https://www.dailypost.vu/news/heritage-mats-return/article_1522f62b-2159-5775-a8d4-263c4772edbf.html