Pandanus are palm-like, dioecious trees and shrubs, their leaves “pandan” is commonly used in traditional handicrafts. The young leaves are harvested and sliced into fine strips, followed by a colouring process, in which the strips are placed in drums of bush dyes, roots and leaves from different plants sourced in the area. Dye is extracted through bashing and crushing techniques, and then added to the water with the pandanus to create these vivid hues. The pandan strips are then woven into intricate baskets and mats or rolled into ropes for other designs.
