Tongan Ngatu: Ceremonial Bark Cloth
Priya Sutaria·Published
Ngatu and Tongan Identity
In Tonga, bark cloth called ngatu holds unparalleled importance. Some ceremonial pieces exceed 30 meters.
The Kupesi System
Pattern boards from coconut midrib carry raised relief patterns transferred to cloth by rubbing with brown dye.
Communal Production
- Women beat bark in synchronized groups
- Large sheets joined with cassava starch
- 10 to 20 women paint simultaneously
