Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-26
CLOTH WOVEN FROM BARK.
Tapa, a Product of Pacific Islanders
Loom-its Many Uses.

Eoom-lts Many Uses.
Although weaving is one of the
most ancient of the industrial arts it
did not find its way among the peo-
piles of the Pacific islands until the
advent of the white races in spite Of
some intercourse between the Malays.
ians and the orientals. Until the mid
die of the nineteenth century the on
~ kind Of cloth made was that known
as tapa cloth. The two names are
now used interchangeable, although
the st" originally belonged to the Sa-
moan language and the "k" to the
Hawaiian. This cloth was manufac.
tured chiefly from the bark of the pa
per mulberry tree, species native
to Japan and the islands of the Pa.
tree was occasionally used for the
same purpose.
In the early days before the pic
turesque grass houses disappeared,
each native home had at least ono
mulberry tree besides the palms that
reached the height of about twenty
feet it's smaller branches and twigs
were broken off, probably by the
children, who loved to scramble into
the branches and throw the boughs
to the group of chatting women seat
ed on the ground below. With the
aid OF their strong teeth the women
loosened the bark, and having strip
ped it off, tore it into long shreds by
a dextrous use of the thumbnail. After
a sufficient amount of material was
thus prepared the whole family join
ed in carrying it to stream and plac-
ing it where running water could play
over it without washing it away.
At the end of twenty-four hours
the pieces had adhered into a solid
mass. This was removed and placed
upon log about five or six feet II
length and a foot square. In front OF
this a native woman sat, tailor fash
ion, upon the ground, and beat the
mass with a wooden club that had
handle three or four inches in length
and had a head nine or ten inches
long. This beating process, a some
what lengthy one, served to spread
the mass as dough is spread by roll
ing. 1t was continued until the pulp
became dry and as thin as desired.
The substance was, however, in a
brittle condition, but by constant re-
petitions of the washing and beating,
the material became at least white
and supple, and moreover so tough
as to be almost untearable.
Having mixed her dyes, the woman
again seated herself in front of the
log, surrounded by a number of Gala
bashes, or wooden bowls, filled with
colors. Within easy reach were q
number of square clubs. These differ
ed from the club used before in that
each surface had some simple design
carved upon it. Another woman sat
facing the log from the opposite side
with the new. white tapa in roll
upon her knees. One edge of the
cloth was unrolled and laid upon the
log.
Having dipped one of her clubs in
the required dye, the first woman laid
it with a sharp, quick movement upon
the tapa and so impressed the design
carved upon the club. BY repeated
changes of clubs, varied design was
made over the whole surface. Then,
to emphasize the pattern, broad black
lines were painted on with a blunt
stick to outline divisions or to cover
defects made in placing the clubs
Often number of black circles were
added before the effect was consid
cred complete.
Tapa cloth was used in many ways,
but chiefly for beds, which were com.
posed of as many~l layers of the cloth
as the owner was industrious enough
to make or wealthy enough to buy.
In some cases as>many as a hundred
were laid upon one another, and they
made a really soft and springy mat
tress. They also served as covers for
the sleeper. They were used for
clothing by both men and women and,
in smaller pieces, served many pur-
poses in the household. The walls OF
the grass huts were often hung with
them, especially in the homes Of the
chiefs. After the introduction of
horses they made useful and snowy
saddle blankets and were used for
the pau" or riding costume OF tbs
women.-Los Angeles Times