What is a Tongan ngatu?
The beautiful Kingdom of Tonga proudly presents the ngatu. Ngatu is a traditional cloth made from the bark of the mulberry tree. It has been the treasure of our ancestors and today it is still one of our prestige, traditional and cultural wealth. Ngatu is used in gift-giving and other traditional rituals.
What is Tongan tapa cloth?
It is a traditional art form whereby the inner bark of certain trees is softened and pounded into sheets of cloth, then bound together using natural starches such as root crop. Tapa cloth is used in both functional and ceremonial purposes.
Why is tapa cloth important?
The most important traditional uses for tapa were for clothing, bedding and wall hangings. Textiles were often specially prepared and decorated for people of rank. Tapa was ceremonially displayed on special occasions, such as birthdays and weddings. In sacred contexts, tapa was used to wrap images of deities.
What is kapa cloth?
Kapa is bark cloth made into beautiful textures, patterns, and colors. Kapa making is an art that reached perfection in Polynesia, and in ancient Hawai’i, kapa was used in nearly every aspect of life. In ancient times, kapa making often took several people and days to complete.
How is Tongan ngatu made?
The process of making ngatu begins with stripping the bark from the tree and then separating the inner and outer bark. The stripped bark is then cut into strips and beaten – which transforms the strip into a wider piece resembling a fibrous fabric.
How do you preserve tapa cloth?
Storage. Ideally barkcloth should be stored flat. Keep small pieces in an acid-free or archival box – avoid ordinary cardboard boxes or wooden drawers as they contain acids which can damage vulnerable materials. Wrap or interleave the pieces of barkcloth with acid-free tissue paper or washed white cotton cloth.
What plant is tapa cloth made from?
mulberry
Bark cloth, or tapa, is not a woven material, but made from bark that has been softened through a process of soaking and beating. The inner bark is taken from several types of trees or shrubs, often mulberry and fig, and designs are applied with paints and vegetable dyes of light brown, red, and black.
What does ngatu mean in Tongan art?
Signed & hand painted Ngatu by Tongan artist, this is a very popular design. The turtle is symbolic for good fortune. Painted on recycled tapa cloth.
How much does ngatu cost?
The back ground is Tapa cloth, the outlines are printed from an original design, the red areas are hand colored. Dimensions: 650mm x 680mm. $85.00 SOLD Doublesided Ngatu. In Tonga it is very popular to recycle old Tapa cloths and use the reverse to add a different design.
How is ngatu made?
How Ngatu is made. The ‘Ngatu’ or ‘Tapa’ is made from the bark of a mulberry tree known in Tonga as ‘hiapo’. After two years, these trees, after having been carefully planted, pruned, and cared for, are cut down, and the bark of each tree is stripped off, being careful not to tear it or make holes during the process.
What is ngatu or tapa cloth?
This Ngatu or Tapa cloth has interesting geometrical patterns on a plain background,which is quite unusual. It gives the Tapa quite a contemporary look. Also,only black dyes are being used,the popular brown dye is not present. Phrases on Tapa are: Koesisiotukuaho Mohonopapaifa. This Tapa is signed with K ’75 on the reverse side.