Hat Item Number: 3609/5 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Hat made from woven pandanus leaves with fibre stitching. The hat is conical in shape with a squared top. The interior has a plain weave construction that is stitched together with fibre. The exterior covered by layered strips of pandanus leaves overtop, arranged in a triangle shape, in alternating shades of light and dark brown with stitches along the edges of the leaves. The rim of horizontal strips of pandanus leaves is hand stitched in a blanket stitch with twisted light brown coconut fibre and black human hair thread. The inside of the hat has a circular plaited band of pandanus leaves and a synthetic fibre cord threaded with a small round wooden bead is attached.
The two hats (3609/4-5) were made for the donors, by the wife of Pastor Wanakae, during their stay on Tabuaeran atoll (formerly Fanning Island) in 1991. Goodfellow had been there earlier, in 1977, and had tried to purchase or trade for a hat like these, but at that time they were only made for local use and were not for sale.
The hats are made from woven strips of pandanus leaves; the rim is sewn with cord made from coconut fibre and human hair.