Bark cloth

Production date
Unknown
Country
Papua New Guinea
State/Province
Oro (Northern Province)
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Object detail

Description
Bark Cloth, rectangular, figurative design that consists of five rows of three hearts, red and black.
Classification
INDIGENOUS CULTURES Melanesian & South Sea Islander bark cloth
Maker
Production date
Unknown
Measurements
L1280 x W556mm
Media/Materials description
Plant fibre, Natural pigment
History and use
This bark cloth is from Oro Province in Papua New Guinea. Oro Province in well known for tapa making.

Tapa, ngatu, kapa, masi, lepau and siapo are names used across the Pacific for barkcloth. Each place and people has their own unique way for making their barkcloth. Some are made by women but in some place men also make bark cloth.

The use of tapa is also a way for people from the Pacific Islands diaspora to continue their alignment and identification with island practices.

Tapa can be used in everyday life as a wall divider, curtain, tablecloth, decorative wall hanging, place mat, blanket or can be worn in a style of an apron, cape, poncho, skirt, hat and bags.

Tapa is also used for special ceremonies like births, initiations, deaths and marriages. It is also used during celebrations at special family gatherings like homecomings, feasting, at community meetings, and graduations. Many Islanders consider tapa an important element in the practice of gift giving.

Uploaded to the Web 27 May 2011.
Registration number
E11961

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