Ngatu making\nTonga is well-known as one of the Islands in the Pacific to practice the art of ngatu making. From our ancestors, ngatu making has been passed down throughout the generations and it has become deeply embedded within our beautiful culture. Production of ngatu is predominantly a feminine working environment with only minor assistance from the men. The beauty of ngatu making is the various processes involved, time and patience given towards this art.

Fohi - Once the bark is stripped from the stem, the outer bark is scraped off to receive the white inner bark. This process is known as fohi tutu. A sharp knife or shell is used for the fohi tutu.

Koka'anga involves the process of gluing pieces of feta'aki. The feta'aki is prepared to certain measurement by each woman in the koka'anga group and it is called a langanga, their individual langanga adds up to make one whole ngatu.

For women to be able to draw kupesi designs, the kupesi is initially woven into kupesi mats, which is used to print the design on the feta'aki before finishing off free-hand.\n\nThe kupesi mat is made of coconut sennit, coconut midribs and the coconut husk constructing a beautiful traditional tokelau feletoa design.

Different types of kupesi designs and motifs are used to decorate one ngatu.

Kerosene is often added to the glue mixture and is rubbed on the newly made ngatu to add luster and as insect and bug repellent.

Kupesi designs and motifs used.\nKupesi is the design printed and drawn on the ngatu. Each kupesi has a meaning, a history and place of origin which tells the place of origin of the ngatu and its makers. Often the kupesi drawn into a piece of ngatu marks historical events and co-relates to Tongan cosmology, seasons and the environment.

Fashion and traditional wear\nFashion has introduced a modern use of the ngatu into our Society. Because the texture of the ngatu is very versatile, it has been used to make fashionable cloths. Also, ngatu itself is the traditional dance costume used in most of the Tongan dances. The use of ngatu in handicrafts is also highly noted, it is used as a decorative ornament and also adds a cultural touch.

The tau'olunga is a traditional dance preformed by women. Ngatu is one of the cultural materials used in designing the tau'olunga costume.

Me'etu'upaki - Ngatu is the only traditional attire for the me'etu'upaki dance. Preformed by men only, ngatu is tied to their waist throughout the whole performance.

A bouquet of flowers made from different traditional materials, like kaka and the feta'aki, illustrating durability and versatility of feta'aki, enabling the production of magnificent works of art.

Illustrated are some of the more modern use of ngatu. Handicraft makers use 'feta'aki'/ngatu cloth to wrap their products and it is also decorated with traditional motifs and designs. People in the handicraft industry depend on this art to make a living