The Ancient Hawaiian Art of Bark Cloth

Sabra Kauka finds great joy in making the past present. A cultural practitioner on Kauai, she teaches Hawaiian children the arts of their ancestors, including kapa. In this physically demanding process, bark from the wauke plant becomes clothing and blankets. Herself a student of the craft, Sabra is in awe that her ancestors created such beautiful textiles from tree bark—and she’s determined to help the next generation relearn and embrace this practice.

#Hawaii #Cloth #Bark

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[unleashingpotential-psycho]

Hawaii is the most beautiful place in the world. 🔥

[Coelacantha]

I love watching videos where they show us a traditional way of doing things wether it’s the black Japanese kimono dye technique or this Hawaiian bark cloth, it’s always relaxing to see how they do it!

[toBeere]

Wow, Okinawa also has a ancient tradition of making clothes from banana leaves for the same reasons! It was used to keep cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Not a lot of people know how to make it anymore or wear it but I hope to one day help revive traditional Okinawan culture.

[arnorrian]

I've planted this tree in front of my yard couple of years ago. I knew you can make paper out of it, but didn't know you can make cloth too.

[isaialeuila]

There are many other polynesian countries that still practice the making of tapa/kapa/ngatu/siapo/masi
1. Tonga
2. Samoa & america samoa
3. Fiji
We do it on a big scale tho, sometimes 20 or more yards are made.

[Alas_Earwaxx]

I. Wish. We. All. Thought. About. The. Earth. This. Way!

[missrobinhoodie]

She reminds me so much of Moanas grandmother!!!! 😃

[someonefromsomewhere]

Wow mesmerizing video I forgot I have exam tomorrow.

[coconutterrence]

it is great that hawaiians like to learn about there heritage it is a pity that australia does not do the same thing, we are getting a lot of islanders over here but as far as i know there are no hawaiians there were a lot of people doing your crafts but out of coconut fronds me included, i had to send to hawaii to get books, your stone fences look great we have places over here with them they even make stone houses, sorry my name is terry lol

[ivannovotny]

Stunningly beautiful, thank you for sharing.

[theartistvei]

bark cloth, gourd work, these are just a few of the core implements of many cultures! but what a toll colonization has had on the earth by oppressing our native people. luckily, we are resilient and have such love for our ancestors to honor these higher forms of sustainable craft. the more we each perpetuate our cultureʻs version of these indigenous lifestyle items the better off the environment and our bodies will be! I hope someday there will be celebration and trade of these, for the distinctions from the various places they come from and with respect for the native children who keep these art forms alive ❤

[namaste]

Hawaii comes always off as so warm and calm.

[fqidz]

I wonder how many things you can make with trees?

[lightaflamethrower]

I want to go to Hawaii now and just get a tour of Kauai and learn all about the culture. Hopefully meet this wonderful teacher as well.

[iseetheWAYVision]

Tapa and/or Kapa is so sacred and beautiful

[Paperfragment]

Amazing! It looks very similar to Japanese paper making that uses mulberry bark. Glad poeple are preserving the tradition!

[monerz-]

Need more keiki like that in Hawai’i and all over the world cuz too many kids taking things for granted!!

[emic]

kapa-making is a true artform! the hawaiian people were/are geniuses. ♥️🌿🌱

[vincentlee]

Wow, amazing! Pretty cool to see something made from a tree bark like that

[kaeobermoy]

I grew up on Kauai kumu kauka was my kumu at kalaheo elementary school and Waimea canyon even Waimea high . I want to contact her because I want to start making kapa cloth for when my dad passes away for his funeral because I’m the oldest and for my family members it’s so important to keep this alive