This article analyses the contemporary significance and sociocultural meanings of Fijian mats. Based on research in different areas of Fiji over two decades and a University of the South Pacific workshop on weaving in 2016, the article argues that mats express relational pathways between kin groups and mediate between the material and the spiritual. It also argues that, embodying ‘female qualities’ associated with women, such as providing nurture and protection in all aspects of life and death, mats are material expressions of Fijian society and the structuring principles it is founded on and sustained by.

中文翻译：

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斐济垫子：体现和调解女性品质

本文分析了斐济垫子的当代意义和社会文化意义。基于 20 多年来对斐济不同地区的研究和 2016 年南太平洋大学关于编织的研讨会，文章认为垫子表达了亲属群体之间的关系路径，并在物质和精神之间起到了中介作用。它还认为，体现与女性相关的“女性品质”，例如在生死的各个方面提供养育和保护，垫子是斐济社会的物质表达，也是斐济社会建立和维持的结构原则。