Oceanic people fabricated very strong and durable cordage with the fiber of coconut husk, also called the coir. Strands of coir were removed from coconut husks than soaked, beaten, sorted out and separated into strands of different lengths or characteristics. Then, to obtain strands of a desired thickness, several fibers were rolled together either by hand or by rubbing it against the tight or against the palm of the foot, adding additional fibers in the process. Once enough strands in hand they were then braided, always by hand of course, into cords of desired length and strength. Sennit is still produced in relative quantity in some Austral Islands , to be used for the fabrication of local crafts and also to lash or rig real size or model canoes.

The leaf base of the coconut palm is made up of very fine and long fibers and those were used for the fabrication of baskets and even clothes. A very fine example of such a palm leaf base is illustrated hereby. I found it lying on the street and wondered how many local people and visitors to these islands know what the ancient Polynesians were capable of doing with those beautiful strands of fibers. The color of those dried fibers is a beautiful red brick color.