tapa cloth

This tapa cloth measure approx 3 metres x 5 metres, is at least 25 years old and kept in a wardrobe. It was once on display but had to be taken down when it started to come apart in places. I don't have the know how to repair it, so for now it will just have to stay where it is.

Tapa cloth is also called bark cloth and is widely produced throughout the Pacific Islands (both Polynesia & Micronesia). In Samoa it is called Siapo, and is made from the bark of the mulberry tree. The bark is stripped and then pounded until it is flat and is cloth like in appearance. The tapa cloth is then dried and bleached by the sun before the designs are applied with printing type plates or drawn freehand. The patterns on the Samoan siapo depict various aspects of the Samoan way of life. It's uses include clothing, burial shrouds, bed covers, ceremonial garments and so much more. You can read more about the making of tapa cloth here.

While in Samoa, I'm attending an official chief (matai) ceremony, so the pressure is on to make an appropriate traditional inspired outfit (puletasi) to wear. After weeks of indecision, I was thinking about tapa cloths and patterns when I came by this tapa styled polyester cotton mix fabric. There's 3 metres of 90cm wide fabric in teal, copper & black and it's enough to make a top to go with a long, plain, black wrap around skirt.