Jaki-ed are very finely woven pandanus mats with intricate designs. The skill of weaving these mats has been revived over the past few years through the efforts of the Jaki-ed program sponsored by the University of South Pacific campus in Majuro, Marshall Islands. Every year the University of the South Pacific holds a jaki-ed auction to raise money for the weavers. The jaki-ed on the left (light tan and off-white in color) won first in the show in 2014, and is possibly the finest and smallest weaving seen in the Marshall Islands in the past 80 years or so. Both mats are now on display in the museum and the public library.

The best of the show, a finely woven mat by Elisa Samson from Jabwon, Ailinglaplap, is on the left, the tan and light brown mat and is the finest weaving anyone has seen in the Marshall Islands for many decades.This mat is so fine and soft it could be used as clothing. The other Jaki-Ed is a beautiful mat woven by Elisana Emos from Airok, Ailinglaplap.

Jaki-ed Auction – Marques Hanalei Marzan, Cultural Resource Specialist, Bishop Museum, Hawaii and RMI Museum Curator Carol Curtis sharing their experience at the Jaki-ed Auction

Jaki-ed Auction

Jaki-ed Auction – Marques Hanalei Marzan, Cultural Resource Specialist, Bishop Museum, Hawaii, RMI Museum Carol Curtis, Poete Kathy Jetnil Kijiner