Masi Seyavu
Wāhanga PacificRā Tāpiringa 11 Apr 2013Accession Number 2013.9.2.2Kupu whakaahua 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…
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. One side has been cut, the other has a thinner layer of Masi Vulavula felted to this 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. Using water as the binding agent, strips of masi are felted together.