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Masi Vulavula

human history

Masi Vulavula. 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. Creased with frayed edges. Beaten in such a way as to produce 'diamond' like patterns in the overlapping fibres. Fringing along the longer sides. Long fringe fraying at one side. 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

Collection Area

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akm.collections.field_type_title_label

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Te reo Name

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Common Name

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Other Name

Masi seyavu (Fijian)

Bark cloth (English)

Other Name Type

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Description

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Place

Fiji

Associated Place

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Field Collection Place

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Field Collection Site

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Collection Date

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Field Collection Date

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Accession Number

1939.127

Accession Date

20 Jun 1939

Other Id

24637.5 (ethnology)

Other Id Type

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Department

Pacific

Display Room

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Restriction

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Type

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Enquire

Masi Vulavula, 1939.127, 24637.5, Photographed by Andrew Hales, digital, 26 May 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply Cultural Permissions Apply

Display location

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Credit Line

Collection of Auckland Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira, 1939.127, 24637.5

Public Access Text

'In old Fiji, particular care was taken in the production of fine white tapa known as masi vulavula which was carefully beaten out to muslin-like fineness to be worn by men as turbans, sashes and scarves. During beating, small twig holes were covered by pulling one edge of the hole across to the other and so creating a triangular patch. These were seen as a decorative element and were then created even where there was no hole.' Neich and Pendergrast, 'Pacific Tapa', 1997.

Cultural Origin

Fijian

Collection

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Primary Maker

unknown (Maker)

Place

Fiji

Date

Pre 1939

Associated Notes

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Associated Event

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Associated Person

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Associated Place

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Associated Date

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Technique

beaten

handmade

Period

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Signature/marks

24637.5 pres. (handwritten)

Media/Materials

bark cloth

paper mulberry/bark/plant material

Measurement Description

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Measurement Reading

1710mm

680mm

Physical Description

Masi vulavula. A finely beaten layer of masi (bark cloth) with fringed edges, unprinted, almost transparent, and of a natural beige colour. Roughly rectangular in shape. Creased with frayed edges. Beaten in such a way as to produce 'diamond' like patterns in the overlapping fibres. Fringing along the longer sides. Long fringe fraying at one side. Masi is produced from the vuni masi (paper mulberry) tree. The outer skin is removed with the inner bark soaked in the 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. Good condition. "24637.5 pres" is handwritten in black ink at one corner of the masi vulavula.

Subject Category

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Classification

Bark Cloth

Textileworking T&E

Tools & Equipment

Media/Materials Notes

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Style

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Web Address

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Last Update

15 Oct 2025

Masi Vulavula

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Masi Vulavula

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Masi Vulavula

Masi Vulavula

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