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Uniquely Polynesian, Tapa plays an important role in cultural ceremonies and every day life. Tapa is considered one of the greatest gifts to give or receive on occasions such as wedding, funerals, birthdays or births. Tapa has high monetary value and can be used for bartering goods or as loan collateral.
Soft white Tapa may be used to wrap newborns babies. Painted Tapa may be used to dress up a bride on her wedding day, or laid out for royalty to walk on, or simply as a blanket on cool nights.
Tapa is made from the bark of the mulberry tree. When first harvest, the bark measures 1/8 to a 1/4 of an inch thick and 4 inches wide. This is then pummeled by hand with a wooded mallet until the bark is paper-thin and 12-18 inches wide. Each piece is then glued together using paste made from the tapioca root, making a finished large piece that can measure 100 X 30 feet. Tapa is painted with natural dye made from various trees producing different hues. Each island has distinctive dye and designs creating different styles of Tapa.
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