Masi Kesa

human history

Masi Kesa. Bark cloth that is patterned with bold geometric patterns, rendered in black dye. 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). Fragile condition.

Accession number: 1992.266 Last Update: 9 Oct 2025
Other Name

Barkcloth (English)

Accession Number

1992.266

Accession Date

08 Sep 1992

Other Id

54255 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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Masi, 1992.266, 54255, Photographed by Andrew Hales, digital, 24 May 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply Cultural Permissions Apply
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