The presentation and gifting of Samoa’s fine mats known as ‘ie toga is inherent in settings where Samoan culture is practiced. It is well known that it is the women living in Samoan villages who spend days, months and even years carrying out this process of weaving Samoa’s fine mats. Each step of this process which many do not get to see, from beginning to end was the impetus for developing the Lalaga ia au tasi Methodology. The Sa’oao ma Tama’ita’i are the women’s committee within Samoan villages and are central to the village social structure. Through their leadership and wealth of cultural knowledge they are involved in mobilising the village and all its social and cultural events.

The Sa’oao ma Tama’ita’i of Gataivai village, located on the south coast of Savai’i in Samoa, have been instrumental in this methodology development imparting their knowledge and lived experiences of ‘lalaga ‘ie toga’ or weaving ‘ie toga in six detailed stages. Each stage has been translated into a methodology for qualitative research that encourages researchers to prioritise the community’s wellbeing in how they enter this space, and how they exit.

The Lalaga ia au tasi Methodology, co-designed with the Sa’oao & Tama’ita’i of Gataivai villages outlines a step-by-step process using Samoan values and cultural practices to guide relationship building, engagement, consultation and weaving the project together to achieve outcomes for all involved. These six steps are: 1. Understanding community context guided by the Samoan practice of ‘Fofola le fala’, 2. Clearing the pathway using the Samoan practice of ‘Tausi le vā’, 3. Community engagement using the Samoan practice of ‘Talanoaga’, 4. Gathering data highlighting the importance of ‘tofā ma le fa’autaga’, 5. Consultation using the practice of ‘soalaupule’; and 6. Weaving the project using ‘lalaga ia au tasi’.