Institute for Money, Technology & Financial Inclusion

This research project defines ‘transformative value’ as the potential to move away from an uncontrollable financial situation to a position where one can manage financial challenges with confidence. In seeking to understand the transformative value of kau tou lālanga— a collective weaving enterprise in Tonga—the research asks: How does kau tou lālanga enhance Tongan weavers’ ability to financially support themselves and their dependents through weavers’ wages and business profits. Furthermore, how do mobile phones and money transfer mediums, contribute to the transformative value of kau tou lālanga?

Ethnographic fieldwork was carried out among two remote island groups in Tonga, and included surveys with seven weaving collectives from four primary villages, leading to more in depth discussions with selected participants over a six to nine month period. Using visual anthropology to document participant and site observations, this research records the progress of each kau tou lālanga, usage of money exchange mediums, mobile phones, and associated economic events. Analysis of the literature continues to inform the ethnography.

This research looks at the transformative value of kau tou lālanga in an economy that moved quickly from subsistence only to include monetization. We suggest that kau tou lālanga can potentially increase household income levels and develop financial confidence amongst Tongan weavers and their families.