Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Come by the Student Services Center in Fountain Valley to see a beautiful Tongan Ngatu on display during the month of May for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month.

The Tongan term "ngatu" refers to tapa cloth, crafted from the bark of mulberry trees. This intricate fabric is meticulously produced by collaborative efforts among women, involving processes such as beating, stretching, and seamlessly joining bark pieces. Subsequently, it is adorned with natural dark dyes and various motifs.

Kupesi are Tongan designs used on a ngatu. Common kupesi designs are Manulua, Fata o Tu’i o Tonga and Tokelau Feletoa. The Manulua refers to two birds; Fata o Tu’i refers to the King's Home, which means balance of space and culture; and Tokelau Feletoa refers to kupesi from the Island of Vava’u.

The completion of a ngatu typically spans 2 to 4 weeks, yielding lengths of up to 30 feet. Primarily utilized as cherished gifts for significant occasions like birthdays, weddings, and graduations, Ngatu holds immense cultural value within the Tongan community. It symbolizes weaving and connecting our ancestors.

Palu, Valamotu (2003). "Tapa Making in Tonga: A Metaphor for God's Care". In Weavings: Women Doing Theology in Oceania, edited by Lydia Johnson and Joan Alleluia Filemoni-Tofaeono, 62-71. Suva: IPS/SPATS

The Ngatu has been kindly loaned to Coastline by Louise "Isa" Fonua.