Ngatu-Tapa Cloths

For the past two weeks, my class had been writing an information report about Tapa cloths also known as Ngatu. What I found hard was creating a proper information report with lots of information. What I found interesting was learning the significance and purposes of a Ngatu. Next time I will add more paragraphs on my information report.

Ngatu - Tapa Cloths

Ngatu is the Tongan term for Tapa cloths. Tapa cloths are a highly respected gift in Tonga because of
the hard work putten to making it and the significance of it in Tonga. Tapa cloths are originally from
Tonga and Tongan women are the experts on making Tapa cloths. Old women are also known for
being experts in making a Ngatu and they are called a “taukei”. In Tonga, tapa cloths are used for
multiple purposes: swaddle a newborn baby, a bed for a married couple’s first night and wrapped
around a body of a loved one. Women in Tonga also use a tool for their designs.

Tapa cloths are papers that you can add a specific design on. Some of their designs are already
made and they are called a “kupesi”. It is wood that has the design lifted and they put the tapa
cloth on the kupesi and start pressing on the paper with paint. The designs on the Tapa cloths
have a meaning behind its design.  The designs that Tongan people choose could be their flag, birds,
trees, airplane etc. All of the design they make has a significant meaning behind it. Each town can
have a design they want that they think has a meaning for them.

A Ngatu is made from a specific wood from Tonga; Hiapo, in english,  a paper mulberry tree. The
process of making a Ngatu is really tiring in Tonga. In Tonga they cut the Hiapo tree first and peel
off the bark from the tree. After claiming all the bark, they dry it out on the sun and then soak it in
water to make it softer. They start hammering it with a stick called “ike” on top of a long wood called
“tutua”. After softening the wood they start sticking it onto a cloth or another tapa cloth. The glue that
they is made from flour and water, plus kerosene to make it shiny. Afterwards they add their first base
of design and dry it out on the sun. When the cloth dries they make their design more darker and visually
beautiful. That’s how tapa cloths are made in Tonga.