Bark cloth
Production date
Unknown
Country
Papua New Guinea
State/Province
Oro (Northern Province)
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Object detail
Description
Bark cloth, rectangular, pink, black and yellow geometric decoration.
Maker
Production date
Unknown
Production place
Measurements
L1295 x W715mm
Media/Materials description
Bark cloth, plant fibre
History and use
This bark cloth (tapa) from Oro province in Papua New Guinea was originally pink, black and yellow in colour. Over time, these colours have changed.
Oro province (also known as Northern province) is famous for its tapa, and is more widely known for its capital, Popondetta, being the 'other' end of the Kokoda Trail.
Tapa is made from the bast (inner bark) of a tree, normally from the paper mulberry, breadfruit, or wild fig. The bast is stripped, dried, soaked and beaten, and then painted with designs and decorations. Sometimes, glue made from tapioca or sweet potato starch is used to make bigger pieces of cloth. Tapa cloth can be used for special cermonies, given as gifts and/or worn at weddings and other events like graduations.
Oro province (also known as Northern province) is famous for its tapa, and is more widely known for its capital, Popondetta, being the 'other' end of the Kokoda Trail.
Tapa is made from the bast (inner bark) of a tree, normally from the paper mulberry, breadfruit, or wild fig. The bast is stripped, dried, soaked and beaten, and then painted with designs and decorations. Sometimes, glue made from tapioca or sweet potato starch is used to make bigger pieces of cloth. Tapa cloth can be used for special cermonies, given as gifts and/or worn at weddings and other events like graduations.
Registration number
E4836
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