Tuhu are cape-like forms created and worn by women in the north of Bougainville with knowledge that has been acquired over generations. The capes are connected with important spiritual beliefs and chiefly systems of governance, but are also used in daily life. Today, the creation of Tuhu has taken on even greater significance as a form of cultural and political resistance to powerful forces of colonisation and globalisation.

Unmarked Tuhu, known as Tulbus, are used by women as mats, coverings for food, and as shelter from the sun and rain. For Tuhu worn by chiefly women, the root of the hakolu (red noni plant) is combined with lime (from ground shells) and salt water to dye pandanus a deep red. These dyed leaves are stitched together with bleached pandanus in different patterns to create hoods of varying status for significant ceremonies.

While Tuhu can be created by most women, each tribe has clanswomen who hold their own specific knowledge. In Ngalkobul village on Buka Island, Kiria Asike is celebrated for her Tuhu. Asike makes them for members of the Nakaripa and Naboin clans, as well as her own Nakas clan. Designs are owned by particular clans and can only be created by others with mutual agreement. For the works on display here, Asike created several Nakaripa Tuhu under instruction of Nakaripa Elder Sana Balai.