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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.

Nama tāpiringa: 1939.127 Whakahounga o Mua: 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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Ingoa Kōrero Noa

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Ingoa Kē

Masi seyavu (Fijian)

Bark cloth (English)

Momo Ingoa Kē

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Kupu whakaahua

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Wāhi

Fiji

Wāhi Hāngai

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Field Collection Place

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Wāhi Whāiti Taketake i Kohia ai

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Rā Kohinga

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Rā i Kohia i te Wāhi Taketake

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Accession Number

1939.127

Rā Tāpiringa

20 Jun 1939

Tohu Tuakiri Kē

24637.5 (ethnology)

Momo Tohu Tuakiri Kē

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Wāhanga

Pacific

Rūma Whakaatu

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Herenga

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Momo

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Uiuitia

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

Whakaaturia te wāhi

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Rārangi Mihi

Collection of Auckland Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira, 1939.127, 24637.5

Kuputuhi e Wātea Tūmatanui ana

'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.

Takenga ā-Ahurea

Fijian

Kohinga

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Kaiwaihanga Matua

unknown (Maker)

Wāhi

Fiji

Rā

Pre 1939

Tuhipoka Hāngai

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Mahi Hāngai

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Tangata Hāngāi

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Wāhi Hāngai

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Rā Hāngai

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Tikanga Waihanga

beaten

handmade

Wā

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Waitohu/māka

24637.5 pres. (handwritten)

Rawatoi/Mātū

bark cloth

paper mulberry/bark/plant material

Whakaahuatanga Ine

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Raraunga Ine

1710mm

680mm

Whakaahuatanga ā-Kiko

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.

Huinga Kaupapa

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Taumata whakarōpū

Bark Cloth

Textileworking T&E

Tools & Equipment

Tuhipoka Rawatoi/Mātū

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Style

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Web Address

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Whakahounga o Mua

15 Oct 2025

Masi Vulavula

Masi Vulavula

Mātātuhi me ngā tuhinga

Mātātuhi (6)

Taonga

Shared Data

Masi Vulavula

Masi Vulavula

Mātātuhi me ngā tuhinga

Mātātuhi (6)

Taonga

Shared Data

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