sione maileseni: Weaver of Tonga’s Ancient Traditions Sione Maileseni is a Tongatapu-born artist whose dedication to preserving and reviving the traditional arts of his community has garnered international recognition. For over two decades, he has honed his craft as a coconut fibre weaver, specializing in *mosikaka*, a distinctive weaving technique practiced exclusively by select individuals for centuries – specifically those serving the royal family – to create durable, ornate baskets and containers imbued with symbolic significance. His work embodies Tonga’s rich cultural heritage and refl…