Phajude

Phajude is a traditional craft and design practice that originated among coastal communities of the Naheli archipelago. It encompasses the making of carved woodwork and inlays, often combined in screens, panels, and furniture used in homes and ceremonial spaces. Phajude pieces are typically made from locally sourced hardwoods and shells, with finishes derived from plant oils and natural dyes. The design vocabulary centers on geometric motifs representing waves, constellations, and coral forms, and it integrates metal accents for contrast.

The craft is passed down through generations via apprenticeship, with master artisans teaching both technical skills and symbolic meanings embedded in patterns. Production often occurs in small workshops that coordinate with harvest cycles and ceremonial calendars. Historically, phajude objects have played a role in rites of passage, weddings, and communal gatherings, serving as symbols of lineage and social status.

Etymology is uncertain; linguists attribute the term to a compound of words meaning "to weave" and "story," though variations exist across villages. In contemporary times, phajude faces pressures from industrial manufacturing and tourism, but practitioners preserve traditional methods in community centers and museums; some designers blend phajude motifs with contemporary furniture, expanding its audience.

References to phajude are primarily found in ethnographic reports and regional museum catalogs, with most knowledge transmitted orally among artisans.