Bark cloth
Production date
Unknown
Country
Tonga
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Object detail
Description
Bark cloth - NGATU, decorated, dark and light brown, 4 panels.
Maker
Production date
Unknown
Production place
Measurements
L4195 x W1990mm
Media/Materials description
Plant fibre (paper mulberry Brousonetia papyferia)
History and use
This bark cloth is from Tonga. Bark cloth or tapa is known as NGATU in Tonga.
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.
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
E16215
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