Nalot
Nalot is the woven pandanus mat tradition of northern Vanuatu — produced by women from pandanus leaves in a specific twill pattern using a body-tension backstrap method that differs from the ground weaving of Yolŋu (CRAFT-0657) in that the Vanuatu weaver uses her body weight to maintain warp tension by wrapping the warp around her waist — 'my body is the loom.' The defining technical knowledge is the body angle calibration: the weaver leans back at a specific angle to maintain correct warp tension — the angle calibrated to her body weight. Leaning too far back: warp too tight — pattern distorts. Not far enough: warp loose — weave sags. 'I lean until the mat pushes back.'
Risk level: Critically Endangered · Vanuatu national ICH list; Vanuatu Cultural Centre heritage
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