The taupou (village maiden), who has an important ceremonial role in the community, is always tattooed from her knee to the top of her leg and sometimes on her hands. Both male and female tattoos show that you are ready for life, for adulthood and to be of service to your community.
In the Samoan tradition of applying tattoo, or tatau, by hand,has long been defined by rank and title, with chiefs and their assistants, descending from notable families in the proper birth order.
According to Samoan scholar Albert Wendt and tattooist Su'a Suluape Paulo II, in tattooing, the term 'malu' refers to notions of sheltering and protection. Samoan women were also tattooed on the hands and sometimes the lower abdomen. These practices have undergone a resurgence since the late 1990s.
Creating a Polynesian tattoo that tells your own story and being able to say what it represents, shows that you acknowledge and respect the importance of such tattoo and therefore it is not seen as disrespectful. It shows your appreciation and admiration for Polynesian art and culture.
They symbolize the warrior, prosperity, and providing for the family. The spearhead represents both the warrior and the fisherman, as they were used by both of them.
Malu is usually translated as shield. It is the name of the traditional Samoan female tattoo, and it comes from the main element tattooed on the back of the knee of women. It represents the four walls of the home, and the protection they give.
The Tautua is an important symbol in Samoan culture and it can represent many different things. As a tattoo, it usually symbolizes leadership, strength, and pride.
The only persons to know the exact meaning of each part of a Polynesian tattoo are the artist who prepares the tattoo and the person it was made for, and this only adds to the beauty of these tattoos as they are absolutely personal and the stories they tell remain private even if in plain sight.
The Malu is a traditional female tattoo that is tattooed on a woman's body from the upper thigh to the lower knee. Historically only the daughter of the high chief received the Malu, but nowadays there are more and more Tama'ita'i Samoa of all ages choosing to get it done.
Modern Day Malu
Today, the trend is that a malu can be received by any woman, similar to the way a pe'a can be received by almost any man. These tattoos have become a rite of passage for Samoan women.
The shaka hand gesture (also known as the hang loose hand gesture) is the symbol made by holding the hand in a loose fist and extending the thumb and pinky finger with the back of the hand facing the recipient.
Traditionally, the malu was reserved for the taupou, (the daughters of high chiefs). Today, no such reservation seems to be in place and pretty much any woman or girl, Samoan, part Samoan or non Samoan may receive a malu provided they can afford the costs and tolerate the pain.
It's no wonder that tatau are seen as being sacred and something to be treated with respect! A Samoan tatau represents the recipient's heritage and personal history, present, and future. Their tatau represents everything that makes them who they are as well as who they will be!
Tatau is the name given to a traditional tattoo for men. It is a dense pattern which completely covers the lower body from the waist to the knee. After having it done, a young man is not only accepted as a full member of the aumaga (untitled men), but is also allowed to serve the matai (chiefs).
Hand poke tattoos are created without a machine. Instead, a tattoo needle is dipped in ink and then poked into the skin dot by dot. While the process may sound pretty rustic, professional hand poke artists work in an environment just as sterile as everyday licensed tattoo studios.
The average tatau (men's tattoo) takes between a week to two weeks and they cost $5,000 (Samoan tala). The malu (women's tattoo) takes just a day or two and that costs $1,500 (Samoan tala).
What I have learnt is that traditionally, “Malu” derives from both the word “Fa'amalu” which means to protect or shelter, and the word “Mamalu” which means sacred. Historically, when a woman was given a malu, she was seen as a protector of the village, a person who would shelter the family from harm.
For example, if you are a white person of European descent, it could be seen as very disrespectful to get a Native American tribal tattoo. There are always exceptions, such as if you grew up or spent a lot of time among people of a culture different from your own and they see you as one of their own.
While there are much more similarities than differences between Maori and Samoan tattooing – together they form the two main forms of Polynesian tattooing as a whole – in simplest terms, Maori tattooing can be distinguished by its swirling, coiling patterns, while Samoan tattooing leans more towards clear lines and ...
“This high prevalence of obesity among Samoans is a relatively recent phenomenon,” Arslanian notes. It appears to be “heavily influenced by globalization” and “the shift from subsistence agriculture to excess consumption of high calorie, processed foods and sedentary lifestyles.”
Not only did these tattoos take a long time to complete, but they were also extremely painful. Depending on the part of the body, the process could be excruciating. It took a lot of courage and endurance and required recuperation between sessions. It also took courage because getting the tattoo was risky.
The word tattoo has two meanings... one is the ancient Samoan word “tatau” meaning 'open wound'.
Tagaloa: Samoan Supreme God
This is Tagaloa, a major god in Samoan mythologies who created the heavens, Earth, and life. The partnership between the sky and Earth conceived him, and when he fluttered his eyes open into this new reality, he set off to create life.
Nafanua was a historical ali'i (chief/queen) and toa (warrior) of Samoa from the Sā Tonumaipe'ā clan, who took four pāpā (district) titles, the leading ali'i titles of Samoa.