While the high quality arts and crafts of the Cook Islands today are but a shadow of their former importance, they were once widespread. However, Cook Islanders still produce unique, massive wooden carvings, finely woven hats and "black pearl" jewelry sought by tourists.
Perhaps the most widely recognized art form are the communally sewn
"tivaevae" -- colorful and intricate appliqué quilts that women piece together in groups not much different from the quilting bees of frontier America. These beautiful quilts, whose designs often feature flowers, plants, butterflies, and sea-life, are often hung to adorn a wall in a place, such as a village hall, where a special ceremony is taking place. Highly valued as gifts, they often are given on special occasions such as the first time a boy or young man has his hair cut, or to visiting dignitaries. Tivaevae are also sometime used to wrap the body of the deceased at funerals. This historic art form is rarely seen outside of homes. For this reason, the Cultural Ministry of the Cook Islands is concerned that the art of making the tivaevae may be lost, as fewer young women are learning how to do this and there are no young men involved in this art form. The government is working to create interest. In recent years, an exhibit where some people lend their tivaevae for exhibition is held in October at the National Archives Museum.
