condensed discuss document expanded export feedback print share remove reset document_white enquire_white export_white report_white

Collections Online

Collections record

discuss document export feedback print share gallery-landscape xml

Masi Bolabola

human history
  • Other Name

    Barkcloth (English)

  • Description

    Masi Bolabola. Long patterned masi (bark cloth) consisting of three pieces of masi, attached at their ends, to create one long piece. Blocks of bold geometric patterns are rendered in black dye, arranged in repeated compartments across the entire width and length of the masi. A row of star-shape motifs with black patterns within the shape are also incorporated throughout the Masi Bolabola. 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.

  • Place
    Fiji
  • Accession Number
    1959.68.3
  • Accession Date
    19 Jun 1959
  • Other Id

    35652 (ethnology)

  • Department

    Pacific

Masi bolabola, 1959.68.3, 35652, Photographed by Richard NG,… … Read more

Images and documents

Images

  • Masi bolabola, 1959.68.3, 35652, Photographed by Richard NG, digital, 08 Mar 2017, © Auckland Museum CC BY
  • Masi bolabola, 1959.68.3, 35652, Photographed by Richard NG, digital, 08 Mar 2017, © Auckland Museum CC BY
  • Masi bolabola, 1959.68.3, 35652, Photographed by Richard NG, digital, 08 Mar 2017, © Auckland Museum CC BY
  • Masi bolabola, 1959.68.3, 35652, Photographed by Richard NG, digital, 08 Mar 2017, © Auckland Museum CC BY
  • Masi bolabola, 1959.68.3, 35652, Photographed by Richard NG, digital, 08 Mar 2017, © Auckland Museum CC BY
  • Masi bolabola, 1959.68.3, 35652, Photographed by Richard NG, digital, 08 Mar 2017, © Auckland Museum CC BY
  • Masi bolabola, 1959.68.3, 35652, Photographed by Richard NG, digital, 08 Mar 2017, © Auckland Museum CC BY
  • Masi bolabola, 1959.68.3, 35652, Photographed by Richard NG, digital, 08 Mar 2017, © Auckland Museum CC BY
  • Masi bolabola, 1959.68.3, 35652, Photographed by Richard NG, digital, 08 Mar 2017, © Auckland Museum CC BY
  • Masi bolabola, 1959.68.3, 35652, Photographed by Richard NG, digital, 08 Mar 2017, © Auckland Museum CC BY
  • Masi bolabola, 1959.68.3, 35652, Photographed by Richard NG, digital, 08 Mar 2017, © Auckland Museum CC BY

Artefact

The development of the Auckland War Memorial Museum online collection is an ongoing process; updates, new images and records are added weekly. In some cases, records have yet to be confirmed by Museum staff, and there could be mistakes or omissions in the information provided.

The gift of curiosity

With unlimited free entry to all paid exhibitions, discounted event tickets and exclusive Member-only events, a Museum Membership is the gift that keeps on giving year-round.

SEE OPTIONS FROM $60

The gift of curiosity