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The Ulumate Project: Na Tolu is an exhibition showing at Objectspace until the 26th of Feb 2023 by Joana Monolagi, Ole Maiava & Daren Kamali. Ulumate was traditionally observed during a time of mourning, when the drau-ni-ulu (hair) was cut and made into a wig, then worn until the hair beneath grew back. In pre-Christian Fiji, ulu cavu (hair wigs) were also worn in warfare. Post-colonisation, Qita (selected men) wore ulu cavu as they stood guard over the village plantation.

ITaukei artist Daren Kamali grew his hair for 25 years and had it made into a wig. But why? Centuries ago, Fijian men in mourning would cut their hair and use it to make ulu cavu, or wigs. They’d be worn until the hair beneath had grown back to its former length. The practice was lost with colonisation, but is now on the comeback. Kamali, along with fellow artist Ole Maiava and revered weaver Joana Monolagi, have formed The Ulumate Project - hoping to bring back ulu cavu into consciousness.