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Hat (mokorotlo) hat from Lesotho used by AusAID
MadeSummary
Object No.
2008/198/1Object Statement
Hat (mokorotlo), part of collection, straw, maker unknown, Lesotho, Africa, used by the AusAID Centre for Pacific Development and Training, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1980-1998Physical Description
Hat, 'mokorotlo', straw, maker unknown, Lesotho, used by the AusAID Centre for Pacific Development and Training, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1980-1998A traditional 'mokorotlo' hat made by the indigenous Basotho people of Lesotho. Conical shaped and constructed by coiling bunches of reeds that are held in place by rows of twining, it features two decorative bands of plaited reeds on the brim and a distinctive plaited and coiled bobble at the apex of the crown. Multicoloured striped fibre band visible on interior of hat, hand stitched to hat; this might have been used for attaching ties.
Marks
No marks.Short URL
https://ma.as/380042Dimensions
Height
270 mmProduction
Made
Notes
The hat was made by indigenous Basotho people of Lesotho between 1980 and 1998.This style of hat is considered to be part of the national dress of Lesotho and its image has become a national symbol, represented on the national flag and vehicle registration plates and as a repeated motif on printed fabrics and souvenir items.
History
Used
Notes
This Lesotho hat is from a group of hats donated by students attending courses at the AusAID Centre for Pacific Development and Training between 1980 and 1998. The collection was initiated by Leon Robert (Bob) Heron, then Principal of the Centre, after seeing a similar collection at a training unit in Geneva, Switzerland.Students donated hats from their countries of origin as a gesture of thanks to the Centre for their training and experience. Contemporary photographs of interiors of the Centre indicate the hats were pinned on boards and displayed on the walls.
The organisation known as The AusAID Centre for Pacific Development and Training (ACPAC) was originally known as the The Australian School of Pacific Administration (ASOPA), from 1947 to 1973. It was called the International Training Institute (ITI) from 1973 to 1987 and finally ACPAC from 1987 to 1998. It is most commonly known as ASOPA.
ASOPA grew out of an army civil affairs unit created during World War II. The unit was known originally as the Land Headquarters School of Civil Affairs, based at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, Canberra. In 1947 the Commonwealth Government approved the establishment of a Civil School as a permanent body with teaching and research duties. It was based in the military precinct at Georges Heights, Middle Head, Sydney.
From its early years ASOPA played an important role in the development of Papua New Guinea. From 1948 it offered courses to train Australians as administrators for Papua New Guinea, and many of them made a significant contribution to the country's development.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s the School grew in stature and size as its training courses developed. During this period courses diversified into primary and secondary teacher training for both Papua New Guinea and Northern Territory indigenous schools, as well as training senior local government officials.
By 1970 the Commonwealth Government had realised that despite its goal of making Papua New Guinea independent, there was no adequately trained public service of indigenous people in the country. In 1971, the role of the School changed to become a training centre for Papuans and New Guineans, preparing them for impending self government. Participants from other developing countries in the Asia Pacific region also attended.
In 1973 the School was integrated into the structure of the office of the Australian Development Assistance Agency and became known as the International Training institute (ITI). The Institute ran short and refresher courses in education and middle management. At its height in the 1980s, the Institute was conducting 23 short courses per year.
In 1987 the Institute became the AusAID Centre for Pacific Development and Training (ACPAC). Until its closure in January 1998, there was still strong demand for the Centre's courses.
During its history ACPAC was associated with a number of notable academics and administrators. John Kerr (later Sir John Kerr QC, Governor General of Australia) served as Principal in 1947. Others include the poet James MacAuley, Lieutenant Colonel Alf Conlon, Charles Rowley, Peter Lawrence, Camilla Wedgwood and Bob Carr (later Premier of New South Wales). Jack Mattes, a former principal of the Centre, compiled the laws of Papua New Guinea.
Source
Credit Line
Gift of AusAID, 2008Acquisition Date
7 October 2008Cite this Object
Harvard
Hat (mokorotlo) hat from Lesotho used by AusAID 2023, Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, accessed 7 June 2023, <https://ma.as/380042>Wikipedia
{{cite web |url=https://ma.as/380042 |title=Hat (mokorotlo) hat from Lesotho used by AusAID |author=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences |access-date=7 June 2023 |publisher=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, Australia}}We want to hear from you
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