Loincloth

Bark Cloth

A long, red, rectangular malo (loincloth) made of mamaki (Pipturus albidus). There is a square removed from one corner. The surface decoration consists of thin dark red lines. The line designs were created with bamboo kapa liners (lapa).

The kapa is referenced in William T. Brigham’s Ka Hana Kapa. It is noted in Brigham's Ka Hana Kapa that the inclusion of black fibre in the beating process in the creation of the kapa is unique. It was proposed by Brigham that the maker of the kapa could have used two beaters, one in each hand, to beat together at the same time.

Kapa cloth is produced from the inner bark of a tree, typically wauke (paper mulberry), which is cultivated, harvested, and processed through soaking, scraping, fermenting, and repeated beating to form and refine the cloth. Patterned beaters may be used during production to create watermarks that can reflect regional styles or maker affiliations. After drying, the cloth is decorated using natural dyes and bamboo implements.

A malo is a long, narrow strip of tapa worn as a loincloth by men.