Knocker <Tool> | 'i'e
About the object
For beating the softened inner bark of the paper mulberry tree for the production of »kapa« barkcloth. The lengths of fabric derived from this felting process were used as a kind of mattress and for clothing. Particularly beautiful and finely-crafted pieces testified to the wealth of a family and were highly prized objects. The production of kapa in Hawaii was women's work; the introduction of European fabrics led to its demise. This art / handcraft was subsequently resumed a few decades ago.