In America, tattoos have slowly become more and more
mainstream. Most young people have at least one tattoo now. In Samoa, however,
tattoos have always been a large part of their culture. It is rare to find a
Samoan who doesn’t have a tattoo.
Tattoos traditionally have been given to Samoans who earn a
chief title. Families give titles to those members of the family who have shown
service to their family. This means they have to earn their title by taking
care of the family. Once a person receives a title, they traditionally get a
tattoo as well. The male tattoo is called the malofie. It starts at the waist
and goes down to the knees and includes everything in between, and I mean
everything. It typically takes 2 weeks of tattooing every day to complete. The
female tattoo for a chief title is called the malu. This is much less invasive
and not nearly as time consuming. It is on both legs and begins at the thigh
and continues down just below the knees. As Samoa has changed, there are people
who get these tattoos who do not have chief titles, but merely want the tattoo.
Even though the malu and malofie are the most traditional of
Samoan tattoos, plenty of Samoans (and non-Samoans) get Samoan style tattoos.
There are several patterns that have different meanings in Samoa. The spear,
for example, is a symbol of death during war times and a symbol for life during
times of peace. The shark symbolizes guile and royalty. The turtle symbolizes
wisdom and leadership. There are several symbols with different meanings that
become incorporated into a Samoan style tattoo.
Not only do Samoan tattoos hold meaning, but it is also one
of the few places on Earth where a person can get a traditionally done tattoo.
In America, you go to a tattoo shop and they use a tattoo gun to give you your
tattoo. Tattooing in Samoa has been around since before tattoo guns and this
practice continue today. Traditionally, tattoos are done with tap tap. This is
representative of the sound made in the process. One stick has one to several
small needles attached to it, while the artist taps it into your skin with
another stick. The tap tap process is how Samoans get traditional chief
tattoos.
Since being in Samoa, I have gotten two tattoos. One done
the traditional tap tap way. The symbol comes from the malu and means
protection. The other tattoo I got using a gun. It is a wristband of
spearheads. Regardless of if you would want a tattoo or not, it is an
experience to get one (or at least see one done) in Samoa.
Special shout out to the culture center in Samoa for my
tap tap tattoo and Manamea Art Studios for my wristband tattoo.
