Tapa Cloth Item Number: 2533/4 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Rectangular-shaped tapa cloth covered with repeating geometric designs. Single-line border encloses three lengthwise rows of six repeating patterns, all in black and ochre. One row is diamonds, the second has circular designs, the last has a design of overlapping four-pointed stars. Each repeating pattern is in a square with symmetrical quadrants.
History Of Use
Barkcloth, commonly known as tapa, is one of the most distinctive products of the diverse cultures of the Pacific Islands. The name is derived from the Samoan word tapa, which means the undecorated edge of a piece of barkcloth, and the Hawaiian word kapa, a variety of barkcloth. Tapa was probably brought to the Pacific Islands thousands of years ago by the ancestors. No important occasion is complete without the presence of tapa, and those who make it continue to generate techniques and designs that serve both utilitarian and ceremonial purposes.
Narrative
These four pieces of tapa (2533/1-4) were collected directly from the maker for the Museum's collection, to show the steps involved in making a patterned tapa cloth.
Item History
- Made by Faamuli Salu (Maker) in Salelologa, Savai'i, Samoa during 2000
- Collected by Carol E. Mayer during 2000
- Owned by Carol E. Mayer before December 6, 2000
- Received from Carol E. Mayer (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Acquisitions Budget (Funding source) on December 6, 2000
What
- Name
- Tapa Cloth
- Identification Number
- 2533/4
- Type of Item
- tapa cloth
- Material
- ochre pigment, paper mulberry bark and paint
- Overall
- height 182.5 cm, width 97.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Samoan
- Creator
- Faamuli Salu (Maker)
- Field Collector
- Carol E. Mayer
- Previous Owner
- Carol E. Mayer
- Received from
- Carol E. Mayer (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Acquisitions Budget (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Salelologa, Savai'i, Samoa
When
- Creation Date
- during 2000
- Collection Date
- during 2000
- Ownership Date
- before December 6, 2000
- Acquisition Date
- on December 6, 2000
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 2533/0004