Masi Seyavu

human history

Masi Seyavu. A finely beaten layer of masi (bark cloth) with togitogi (fringing) along the edges, unprinted, almost transparent, and of a natural beige colour. Roughly rectangular in shape. Has frayed edges and one wide side trailing masi "tendrils" of fringing. Folds, creases and area of water damage evident. Beaten in such a way as to produce 'diamond' like patterns in the overlapping fibres. Masi is produced 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) to produce the naturally off-white colour cloth. Layers are felted together to increase thickness and size of the masi.

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

Barkcloth (English)

Place
Fiji
Accession Number

1939.127

Accession Date

20 Jun 1939

Other Id

24637.4 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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Masi vulavula, 1939.127, 24637.4, Photographed by Andrew Hales, digital, 29 May 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply Cultural Permissions Apply
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