 |
 |
| Fijian
Tapa Cloth is called "Masai" in Fiji. |
| We
have also heard it called Barkcloth, as the bark of the
paper Mulberry tree is stripped off the trunk, soaked,
and then pounded into a sheet of various sizes. |
| It
is then printed, using incised design boards of wood and
instruments. Color is added using native plant materials,
made into an ink-like consistency. |
|
| #830
- Square & Rectangular Sizes: |
| #A
- 12" x 18" |
|
#E
- 4' x 6' |
| #B
- 2' x 2' |
|
#F
- 4' x 8' |
| #C
- 3' x 4' |
|
#G
- 6' x 9' |
| #D
- 3' x 5' |
|
|
| Making
Tapa is a women's job. It is used in Tonga for special
occasions like weddings and birthdays. |
| One
piece of Tapa is about 30cm wide. It is traditional to
glue 532 segments lengthwise and 13 pieces widthwise to
create a large Tapa Cloth. 52 Segments are for the weeks
of the year, and 13 segments are for the 13 lunar months.
Tapa Cloth making is still a tradition to this day. |
|
(Much of this information comes from Vaimana, Marcellin
College of Living Heritage.) |
|
|
| #830
- Round Sizes: |
| #A
- 12" dia. |
| #B
- 24" dia. |
| #C
- 36" dia. |
| Fijian
Tapa is known by its subtle brown-and-black geometric
designs on an ivory background. |
|
| Ngatu
Tapa Cloth is one of Tonga's most important possessions.
In the old days, it was similar to money. The colors are
warm tones of dark brown and lighter tones of browns,
on a beige / ivory background. Designs combine geometric
and symbolic motifs, depicting: birds, plants, animals,
the Tongan Royal Crest / Coat of Arms, Lions, Eagles,
and their flag. |
|
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|
 |
| The
Kapu Kai Restaurant in Cucamonga, CA |
| Nice
use of Tongan Tapa, with dark walnut |
| stained
Rattan tied with Peel Winding Cane. |
| Oceanic
Arts handles the traditional Tapa, |
| not
tapas made with modern material, which are more convenient and
quicker to make. |
| We
have had Tapas made up to 14' wide x 153' long! |
|
Sizes
vary with each Tapa, so Please Call or Email us with your requirements. |
|
(Note: Tapas shown above are not Tapas in stock, but are typical of
those we have sold.) |
|
