Masi (also known as malo or tapa) is bark cloth with rust colored and black printed design. While men wore the masi, production has traditionally been a woman's role. Made from the inner white bark of the paper mulberry bush that has been soaked in water and scraped clean, it is then beaten and felted for hours into sheets of a fine, even texture. Intricate designs are done by hand or stencil and often carry symbolic meaning. Rust-colored paints are traditionally made from an infusion of candlenut and mangrove bark, pinker browns are made from red clays, and black from the soot of burnt dakua resin and charred candlenuts.
Joe and I were fortunate to meet a woman at Koroipita who gave us a demonstration in making masi. She grows her own mulberry bushes. I bought a wall hanging. I hope I have captured this true art in pictures because it is very difficult to see masi being made. She is teaching this art to her daughter.
My new wall hanging.....made by Kailea
Kailea's home at Koroipita...there is an outside kitchen, non-flushing toilet, electricity, one large sleeping room for 6-10 people.
Mulberry bush...
Masi after mulberry bark has been beaten and felted and before painting...
I also bought a bracelet from another lady who made this with beads and safety pins. Her entire livelihood comes from making bracelets. She has seven children.
No comments:
Post a Comment