Masi Kesa

human history

Masi Kesa. Patterned masi (bark cloth) with togitogi (fringing) along the edges. The masi is predominantly black in colour with patterns also incorporating brown- coloured dye. Diamond shaped motifs with feathered edges, (possibly a male dance fan or stingray motif), border the edges. The design across the masi is divided into two main sections with two large motifs that fill each section. Another section is placed in-between the two main sections, with a cross-shaped motif and a circular shaped motif (possibly representative of a flower, star or sun) each repeated twice across the section. 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). Using water as the binding agent, strips of masi are felted together.

Accession number: 1943.55 Last Update: 15 Oct 2025
Other Name

Bark cloth (English)

Place
Fiji
Accession Number

1943.55

Accession Date

30 Jun 1943

Other Id

26786.9 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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Masi kesa, 1943.55, 26786.9, Photographed by Andrew Hales, digital, 01 Jun 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply Cultural Permissions Apply
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