Masi (tapa cloth)

Fijian masi (tapa cloth) has customarily been used for ceremonial occasions such as weddings or the conferring of a chiefly title. Unlike other countries of the Pacific that also make tapa, Fijian masi is solely made from the inner bark of the paper mulberry tree (Broussonettia). Fijians generally decorate masi by using a stencilling technique (masi kesa). Originally they made stencils from banana leaves and other large leaves. In modern times, x-ray film, acetate film or the plastic from rice bags, is proving much more durable. In this particular example of masi, we can see that half appears to be decorated with a stencilled technique, while the other half has been painted free hand.

History:

This masi was presented to Marist Brother Ephrem Peter Ainsy (1914-2009), who was a member of the Marist Brothers, a Roman Catholic religious order. Brother Ephrem worked in Fiji sporadically during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Upon relocating to Wanganui, New Zealand he met Alan Henry (father of Terry and Ron) with whom he became good friends. Brother Ephrem gave the masi to Alan, and later Alan passed the masi cloth to Terry.

Significance:

This masi is not only significant for its decoration and visual effect. Together with its provenance, this masi serves as a reminder of the Marist influence in the Pacific. The first brothers assigned to the Pacific left France in 1836 and were known as the Society of Mary; the Fiji Mission was founded thereafter in Lakeba, Lau group, 1844. The brothers’ influence in the Pacific is most evident through the education institutions’ they have set up.

In 2006, the Marist brothers published a book documenting 100 years of Marist presence in Fiji from 1888 – 1988. Brother Ephrem is referenced in the book and is photographed while stationed in Wairiki, Taveuni. At the launch of the book in Fiji, ex Marist pupil and journalist, the late Paula Tagivetaua recalled, “As one who was taught by the Marist brothers, I will forever be thankful to them for shaping my character, preparing me for life after school and instilling in me values and the discipline that would be my strength and shield against the tests of life after school, and my struggle” (Tagivetaua, 2010). Irrelevant of one’s opinion of the Marist missions, there is no doubt of their influence and continuing presence in the Pacific. The story of this masi enables us to connect to this time and period in Pacific history.

Construction:

This long soft tapa has fringes along all four sides and has been decorated with black and brown designs. The black designs have a stencilled pattern that varies across the sections of the cloth, and the free hand designs are in black and brown, each opposite a stencil patterned design. The contrast in technique and layout of design makes it different from other masi that Te Papa Tongarewa has in its Pacific Collection.

Acquisition: This masi was donated by Ron and Terry Henry to Te Papa in 2013.

References:

Marist Brothers. (2006). Marist Brothers in Fiji: The first 100 years. Suva: Marist Brothers Publications. Spicer, C. & Me, R. B. B. (2004). Fiji Masi: An Ancient Art in the new Millennium. Queensland, Australia: National Library of Australia.

Tagivetaua, P. (2010, November 19). Memories of Marist Brothers. Fiji Times Online. Retrieved from http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=160165.