Masi Bolabola

Masi Kesa. Patterned masi (bark cloth) with togitogi (fringing) along the edges. The patterns are rendered in red/brown (possibly made from umea which is a clay that is processed to produce a red/brown dye). The patterns are bold and geometric, including strong triangular lines rendered in red/brown. Tears are visible across the masi. 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).

Other Name

Barkcloth (English)

Place

Cakaudrove District/Fiji

Accession Date

Unknown

Other Id

4142.2 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific