Tapa Skirt
A view of the cloth on display.
Name/Title
Tapa SkirtEntry/Object ID
E-12Description
A black and white Chief's Tapa skirt, made of two over lapping cloths; the overlap is visible in the middle of the cloth. Decorated with flowers and geometric patterns, it is in fairly good condition, as it has fraying along all four edges, a small tear on one side, as well as thinning and separation of the fibers from the main body throughout the cloth. One small hole was noted near the middle, as well as ink smears in a few places from the designs. Perhaps this cloth was stored folded at one time, as it has some worn creases along the short side of the body. On one edge is the El Camino Anthropology Museum's number for this cloth, as well as an older label that reads, "L35.2.78"Use
Tapa cloths were used everyday as loose fitting garments. They could be worn as loincloths, headwraps, or skirts. Recently tapa cloth has been sold as a tourist commodity.Context
Tapa cloths are made of the inner bark strips of trees, such as the mulberry tree. The cloths are hand made with symbols and designs specific to the island group, region, or town, and every cloth is unique. Archaeological evidence has shown that tapa cloths were being produced and distributed in Southeast Asia and Indonesia as early as 1,000 BCE. Cloths are decorated either freehanded or by using carved wooden templates. Designs on tapa cloths typically showed native flora and fauna, or geometric patterns. Traditionally, tapa cloths are used for ritualistic functions or as a form of currency. They were used often in gift exchanges such as in marriage dowries, weddings, births, and deaths. When tapas were used in important ceremonies they were often cut up and offered to tribe members.Collection
El Camino College Anthropology MuseumAcquisition
Accession
73.6.1Source or Donor
Mr. D. PetersonEthnography
Cultural Region
Region
PolynesiaContinent
OceaniaCulture/Tribe
Futuna Island