MWT Partnership Spotlight:
Ulin Maho Association - Reviving Traditional Weaving, Pentecost Island
Melanesian Women Today is honored to support the Ulin Maho Association in a landmark cultural revival, made possible by the Pacific Peoples’ Partnership’s Pacific Resilience Fund
At Melanesian Women Today (MWT), our role is to walk alongside community-led initiatives, providing support and guidance that amplifies local leadership. We are proud to highlight our partnership with the Ulin Maho Association on the Island of Pentecost in Vanuatu, a powerful example of community vision in action.
Generously funded by the Pacific Peoples’ Partnership’s Pacific Resilience Fund, this project was implemented and led by the women of the Ulin Maho Association. Our MWT Vanuatu Chapter, guided by Cultural Associate Selwyn Toa, provides mentorship and logistical support, ensuring the project’s success remains firmly rooted in local knowledge and kastom.
A COMMUNITY-LED VISION FOR CULTURAL SOVEREIGNTY
In the communities of North and Central Pentecost, a powerful cultural revival is underway. The Reviving Traditional Weaving Project, led by the Ulin Maho Association, is reclaiming the sacred art of Vavatuvwa (‘Nonda’ language of Northern Pentecost for weaving)—a practice central to women's identity, cultural continuity, and community well-being.
For the women of Pentecost, weaving is far more than a craft; thus, the hope to revive the practice of traditional weaving is of importance to them. It is a living narrative, intertwining the journey from girlhood to womanhood with the preservation of ancestral knowledge. Through the creation of mats and baskets, mothers and elders pass on not only intricate skills but also the stories, values, and social roles that define their culture.
This holistic initiative focuses on three core areas:
Ecological Restoration: Replanting and sustaining the native pandanus and coconut palms essential for traditional weaving.
Cultural Preservation: Safeguarding intricate patterns and the oral histories embedded within them.
Sustainable Livelihoods: Creating economic opportunities that honor and revitalize cultural heritage.
The project has seen remarkable growth. An initial group of nearly 40 women has expanded to include close to 100 participants from three core communities. Their collective effort has produced hundreds of baskets, including ceremonial pieces like the bwana and Tangbunia, and functional items like the ngerei fish trap and tampa household basket, which promote environmentally sustainable practices.
A significant moment highlighting the project's profound cultural impact was its role in a traditional pig-killing ceremony in May 2025. Women's woven baskets were used to present food and gifts, visibly affirming their central role in ceremonial life and community leadership.
Looking ahead, the project will culminate in a cultural gathering that will unite weavers from across the region. This event will celebrate their achievements, facilitate intergenerational knowledge transfer, and strengthen the network of women dedicated to ensuring that the art of Vavatuvwa continues to thrive for generations to come.
Through this dedicated work, the Ulin Maho Association is not just reviving a craft; it is weaving a stronger, more resilient future, rooted in the power of cultural sovereignty.
MWT'S ROLE: GUIDANCE AND AMPLIFICATION
Our part is not to lead, but to support. MWT helps provide a strategic framework based on the Sustainable Village Model provided, which aligns with the Ulin Maho Association's own mission to strengthen cultural identity, self-reliance, and environmental stewardship.
This partnership is a testament to a shared belief: the most profound and lasting resilience is cultivated when communities hold the pen to their own story. We are grateful to the Ulin Maho Association for their leadership and to Pacific Peoples’ Partnership for making this vital work possible.
