Cloth

Description:

A piece of cloth printed with tree bark cloth patterns.\In addition to tree bark cloth beaten in the traditional manner with certain patterns rubbed in and painted on, cotton fabrics printed with tree bark cloth patterns are also produced, of which this cloth is an example.\In Samoa, making and decorating tree bark cloth from the inner bark of the paper mulberry tree was an important cultural and artistic tradition. After fine matting ('ie toga), tree bark cloth was the most valuable cultural item in Samoa. Tree bark cloth was made and decorated by women and was also their property. It served as clothing for men and women of all ranks on ceremonial and daily occasions, as well as funeral veils, bedcovers, chamber pots and mosquito nets, and as ritual presentation on events such as births, marriages, funerals and the naming of chiefs. In Samoa, tree bark cloths are still made by groups of women. They are used as clothing at special events, as table covers and as gifts and exchange at ceremonies such as births, weddings and funerals.

Format:

image

Collections:

National Museum of World Cultures Foundation

Content partner:

National Museum of World Cultures Foundation

Availability:

Not specified