AY Honors/Tapa Cloth/Answer Key

2006-03-12T19:08:59Z

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'''Tapa cloth''' (or simply ''tapa'') is a bark cloth made in the islands of the [[Pacific Ocean]], primarily in [[Tonga]] and [[Samoa]], but as far afield as [[Java (island)|Java]], [[New Zealand]], and [[Hawaii]].

The cloth is known by a number of local names, although the term tapa is understood throughout the islands that use the cloth. In Tonga, Tapa is also known as ''Ngatu'', and here it is of great social importance to the islanders, often being given as gifts. In Samoa, the same cloth is called ''Siapo''. In Hawaii, it is known as ''kapa'', the two words ''ta'' and ''pa'' meaning "The beaten object". This is probably close to the original meaning of the broader term to which it appears similar.

In [[Fiji]] it is called ''Masi'', after the [[Paper Mulberry]] tree (''Broussonetia papyrifera'') whose bark is used in the creation of the cloth. This tree, native to Eastern [[Asia]], was brought to the [[Pacific]] during voyages of migration.

Tapa is made by a variety of different methods, of which that used in Tonga is fairly typical. Here, Paper Mulberry tree bark is stripped from the tree and sun-dried before being soaked. After this, the bark is beaten on wooden ''tutua'' anvils using wooden mallets called ''ike''. After beating, the cloth is placed on dyed wooden blocks for the application of traditional patterns in horizontal bands across the cloth, before it is again dried. After drying, details are added to the patterns by hand using brushes.

The patterns of Tongan, Samoan, and Fijian tapa usually form a grid of squares, each of which contains geometrical patterns with repeated motifs such as fish and plants, for example four stylised leaves forming a diagonal cross. Traditional dyes are usually black and rust-brown, although other colours are also known.

The cloth is primarily used for clothing, and is often worn on formal occasions such as weddings. It is also highly prized for its decorative value and is often found used to hang on the walls as a decoration..

[[Image:tapa_lau_86.jpg|thumb|Tapa from the Lau Island Group of Fiji]]

==External links==
*[http://www.tapa.co.nz/ Tapa in the Pacific Islands]
*[http://www.minpac.govt.nz/resources/tools/tapa/tonga.php New Zealand Ministry of Pacific island Affairs - Tapa in Tonga]
*[http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/collections/ecbot/BarkCloth.htm Kew Gardens bark cloth webpage]
*[http://www.marlamallett.com/tapa.htm Tapa cloth]
*[http://www.abc.net.au/arts/artok/craft/s193440.htm Fijian masi-making]

[[Category:Textiles]]
[[Category:Polynesian culture]]

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AY Honors/Tapa Cloth/Answer Key