Masi Kesa

human history

Masi Kesa. Long patterned masi (bark cloth) with togitogi (fringing) along the edges. Masi is made from bark stripped from the Vuni Masi (Paper mulberry) tree. The outer skin is removed and the inner bark (natural in colour) is 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). The pattern consists of multiple rows of bold geometric patterns, including possibly i-seru (comb) motif, as well as narrower rows of brown-coloured patterns. Ends of the Masi Kesa are decorated with brown-coloured borders consisting of many lines.

Accession number: 1939.127 Last Update: 15 Oct 2025
Other Name

Bark cloth (English)

Place
Fiji
Accession Number

1939.127

Accession Date

20 Jun 1939

Other Id

24637.2 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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Masi kesa, 1939.127, 24637.2, Photographed by Andrew Hales, digital, 01 Jun 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply Cultural Permissions Apply
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