Beauty Rituals

Exploring iTaukei women in precolonial times, regarding their hygiene and beauty regiments. From coconut oil in their hair, to turmeric paste on their skin and hibiscus flowers as perfume; this is how the island lewas (women) of the South Pacific practiced self care.

Hair Care

You cannot start this exhibit without speaking of hair. iTaukei hair, is one of the staples of iTaukei identity. From braids, to bunigas, and even wigs.

To keep their hairstyles, full, healthy and perfumed – they would uses coconut oil infused with flowers such as hibiscus and frangipani to keep it shiny, conditioned and gives a pleasant aroma.

In terms of dyes, they would use the same dyes used for tapa cloths (masi). Crushed plant materials (like soot, candlenut ash, or certain barks) were used to darken hair or create tints

For combing their hair often wooden, carved, or special “hair picks” — were used not just for detangling but for shaping and styling the hair.

Hair-resting devices such as kali (headrests) were used to preserve the shape of the hairstyle during sleep, preventing flattening or damage. One ethnographic object (a Fijian headrest) was specifically for that purpose.