Ngatu (tapa cloth)

About this item

Title

Ngatu (tapa cloth)

Content partner

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Collection

Te Papa Collections Online

Description

This is a fragment of a large ngatu (tapa cloth) from the islands of Tonga. Ngatu is highly valued in Tongan society and presented on special occasions such as wedding and funeral ceremonies. This example features motifs depicting Spitfire fighter aircraft flying a "Queen Salote" banner, the Sila o Tonga (Tongan crest), a flag of Great Britain and the United States of America. Significance This is a rare survival of tapa commemorating the war effort of Queen Salote and the Tongan people who...

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Format

Image

Date created

1940s

URL

https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/945711

Related subjects

Aircraft / Tonga / Tongan / Rites & ceremonies / bark cloth / dye / textiles / Polynesian / Oceanic / World War, 1939-1945 / beating / decoration

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All Rights Reserved

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More Information

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All Rights Reserved

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