Tapa Cloth

Tapa cloth is made by stripping the bark from the tree, separating the inner from the outer bark-which is discarded- and then beating the inner bark on an anvil to spread and flatten the fibers. Water may or may not be introduced at certain stages in order to soften the fibers.To produce larger pieces, thin sheets can be layered and felted or just pasted together. Wide variety developed, particular to each island, for applying the colors and designs. This tapa cloth is from Samoa and features a striking design of pointed ovals with serrated edges superimposed on a large grid.