Fijian Tapa Cloth dress women and children have worn

women and children have worn the piupiu as a standard in dress when performing

To complete the rattle a handle is tied and attached to the feathered section

The bark is stripped off and pounded until it forms into a paper like cloth

This typical Maori design is hand carved in bone

Fijian Tapa Cloth dress women and children have wornMany hours and effort go into making Fijian tapa cloth (masi). Made with traditional tools and the inner bark of the mulberry tree, the tapa cloth has been used throughout the history of the Fijian people. Widely used throughout Polynesia, tapa has many uses and was traditionally made for clothing. It was the precursor to todays textiles. Decorating the tapa with native motifs varied based on culture. Fijian tapa is generally of a heavier weight,