AS the interest in weaving among women in villages slowly disappear, Lice Mila Rasotale is keeping up the pace.
Since learning about the craft by observing her grandmother while growing up, she’s never slowed down.
The 63-year-old mother from Wailotua No.1 in Tailevu has been weaving for over 40 years.
When The Sunday Times met up with her this week, she was seated by the roadside at Wainivo, de-thorning freshly harvested pandanus leaves.
Self-taught weaver
The mother of seven has been weaving for as long as she can remember – a traditional skill she cherishes.
She weaves mats to support her family with village and family commitments.
“Even though my husband has passed away, I still contribute to family and village commitments,” she said.
“The mats I weave are often used for family gatherings, that way I help my children with their family commitments.
“A lot of people have told me to stop weaving because of my age, but I often say to them that God is with me. He gives me the strength to do it.”
She first grasped the art by observing her late grandmother from Dakuivuna, Tailevu.
“I wasn’t taught the skill, but I learned by observing my grandmother when she weaved. I knew how to do it even before I got married.”
Life before electricity
Lice and her late husband worked hard over the years to provide the best for their family.
They raised their children when there wasn’t any electricity or proper running water.
She recalls how her children would huddle up together beside a flickering kerosene lamp to study and how she would cook in the dim light of the open fire.
Even though life wasn’t as comfortable as it is today, she is thankful they experienced those days together as a family.
She raised twins, a son living with a disability and her other children through humbling moments and experiences.
Providing for her family
Her husband was a farmer so the family lived off the land.
When their children had to attend school, she stepped in and helped her husband earn an income for the family.
She sold produce at the Suva Market.
“I sold bananas, cassava, ota and lemon from our farm. When the children returned from school, they would help by picking fresh lemons to take to the market.
“I would collect ota and rourou to sell which helped a lot with my children’s school expenses.
She said she would go to the market on Thursdays and returned on Saturdays.
“I used to travel by bus with my produce, and we would sleep at the YWCA building. Now they have built a good accommodation for women close to the market.
“I had two children in boarding school when I was selling, one was in RKS and the other at BMS.”
When she needed to, she would take a break from selling and quickly visited her daughter at boarding school.
When she went home, she would get off at Korovou Town, leave her leftover produce there and go to visit her son at RKS.
She did that until her children finished school.
God’s guidance
Lice is a staunch Christian.
When she gets up, she first seeks protection and guidance from God.
She said God has been a source of strength for her family, especially after her husband passed away.
She thanks the heavens for its blessings, especially seeing her seven children grow up to become responsible adults.
Lice Mila Rasotale (far right) with her son, Timoci Lobanavau and Sesenieli Tinai (left) sit beside the Kings Highway at Wainivo, Wailotua No.1. Picture: ALIFERETI SAKIASI
Lice Mila Rasotale talks to The Sunday Times team. Picture: ALIFERETI SAKIASI
