The Taitung County Government is promoting Taitung crafts and Austronesian international exchange through a series of events under the name “Ripples of the Pacific.” On August 1, a barkcloth workshop was held at the Dulan Sugar Factory, led by Tongan artist Tui Emma Gillies. The event attracted many participants interested in Austronesian culture and the art of barkcloth crafting.
During the workshop, artist Tui introduced the traditional Tongan barkcloth culture and demonstrated the making process using century-old tools, the “tutu” and “kupesi”. Under Tui’s guidance, participants had the opportunity to create their own barkcloth, gaining a deeper understanding of the complexity and value of this traditional craft.
Tui pointed out that currently, Tongans often use plastic cloth as a substitute for the traditional second layer of “tapa” in its production. While this simplification is convenient, it undermines the durability and cultural value of the craft. She emphasized that traditional crafts are cultural assets and should be properly preserved and passed down.
During her residency, Tui visited the esteemed Elder Panay of Dulan village, and toured his studio. She was impressed by Elder Panay’s ability to turn bark into various cultural and creative products. Tui was also amazed by local artist Siki Sufin’s technique of using a hammer to directly obtain bark from wood and shared the different methods of harvesting bark in Tonga.
Tui gifted one of her barkcloth works to Elder Panay as a token of her admiration for his efforts in promoting barkcloth culture. She mentioned that her knowledge and techniques in barkcloth crafting come from her mother, Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows, and expressed a hope to bring her mother to Dulan in the future to exchange ideas with Elder Panay.
Taitung’s Cultural Affairs Department announced that this year’s “Ripples of the Pacific” international exchange program has invited three Austronesian craft creators from Thailand, Singapore, and Tonga to undertake residencies in Taitung. Additionally, the program supports the participation of three local Taitung artists in international residencies, fostering vibrant dialogue about Taitung’s Austronesian culture. For the latest updates on their upcoming events, follow the Taitung County Cultural Affairs Department’s Facebook page and the Ripples of the Pacific page.
Learn more about and experience Austronesian culture.
