rubbing tablet

Kupesi. Patterned rubbing board. Kupesi are patterned rubbing boards that are used to transfer patterns on to ngatu(tapa cloth) by placing the feta'aki(plain ngatu) on top and rubbing over it with a koka (red coloured natural dye). Kupesi can refer to the rubbing tablet themselves as well as a general name for Tongan designs. There are many different kupesi and they each have individual names and meanings behind them. Kupesi are made from different parts of a coconut tree, the backing is kaka (coconut sheath) and it is cut into whatever shape the base is and is made from two or three layers. Pulu'i niu (coconut sennit) is used to sew the edges and layers together. Tu'aniu (coconut midrib) is used to make the shape of the kupesi and it is then sewn into place on the kaka backing with pulu'i niu. This kupesi is triangular in shape, it has three flower and leaf motifs along its face which are made from tu'aniu that has been sewn on with pulu'i niu. This kupesi has not had much use as it is still very much intact and has no staining on it from koka or other dye.