Masi Kesa

human history

Masi Kesa. A long and narrow rectangular piece of masi (bark cloth) beaten from Vuni Masi (Paper mulberry tree) and hand-stencilled with designs applied to the surface of the masi in black and brown inks to create dark bands of geometric patterns. A repeated border of dark-coloured patterns run the length of the masi. There are two rectangular areas of plain background, each with four centred star motifs with repeated black chevrons emanating outwards from the centre of each star. Each wide side of this masi is cut into a serrated edge and there is no fringing on the longer sides. The masi pieces have been joined at the centre to extend the overall length. Masi is produced from the inner bark of Vuni Masi which soaked in a papasia (large wooden bowl). It is then laid out on a duadua (long wooden anvil) and beaten with an ike (bark cloth beater) to produce the naturally off-white colour cloth. Layers are felted together to increase thickness and size of the masi.

Accession number: 1983.171 Last Update: 9 Oct 2025
Other Name

Bark cloth (English)

Place
Fiji
Accession Number

1983.171

Accession Date

17 Nov 1983

Other Id

50569 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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Masi kesa, 1983.171, 50569, Photographed by Andrew Hales, digital, 29 May 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply Cultural Permissions Apply
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