The Real Deal

This is Uli Vimahi. He is a native Tongan in traditional clothing. The cream overlay was made for him as a wedding gift by his "Auntie", which is a metaphor for any woman that is close to him, and may or may not be related.

The overlay is made from a plastic seed bag. His "Auntie" took the entire bag apart, string by string, and crocheted or wove each tiny square and then stitched them together. It looks like lace. It is beautiful. It represents the unity of family and this is one man anyone would want in their family. A kind, humble, delightful man. He and his wife have two little boys, ages 5 and 7. The boys were restless and wiggly during our meeting, but, he was so patient as he calmed and encouraged them to be still.