The pe'a covers the body from waist to knees. The word tattoo in the English language is believed to have originated from the Polynesian word tatau.
The tatau process for the pe'a is extremely painful, and undertaken by Tufuga ta tatau (master tattooists), using handmade tools of bone, tusks, turtle shell and wood. The Tufuga ta tatau are revered masters in Samoan society. In Samoan custom, a pe'a is only done the traditional way, with aspects of cultural ceremony and ritual, and not with European tools or needles. The tufuga ta tatau works with one or two assistants, often apprentice tattooists, who stretch the skin and wipe the excess ink. The process takes place with the subject lying on mats on the floor with the tattooist and assistants beside them. The pe'a can take less than a week to complete or in some cases, years.
The ink colour is black. The tattoo starts on the back and finishes on the belly button. Overall, the design is symmetrical with a pattern consisting mainly of straight lines and larger blocks of dark cover, usually around the thighs. Some art experts have made a comparison between the distinctive Samoan tattoo patterns to other artforms including designs on tapa cloth and Lapita pottery
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Orgininated
In Polynesia, the origins of tattoo is varied. Samoans and Tonga credit Fiji as the source of the tatau, the Fijians credit the Samoans, and the Māori of New Zealand credit the underworld.
In Samoan mythology the origin of the tatau in Samoa is told in a myth about twin sisters Tilafaiga and Taema who swam from Fiji to Samoa with a basket of tattoo tools. As they swam they sang a song which said only women get tattooed. But as they neared the village of Falealupo on the island of Savai'i, they saw a clam underwater and dived down to get it. When they emerged, their song had changed, the lyrics now saying that only men get the tattoo and not women. This song is known in Samoa as the Pese o le Pe'a or Pese o le Tatau.
Back view of Samoan male with pe'a, c. 1890s, photo by Thomas AndrewThe word tatau has many meanings in Samoa. Ta means to strike, and in the case of tattooing, the tap tap sound of the tattooist's wooden tools. Tau means to reach an end, a conclusion, as well as war or battle. Tatau also means rightness or balance. It also means to wring moisture from something, like wet cloth, or in the case of the pe'a process, the ink from the skin. Tata means to strike repeatedly or perform a rhythm. For example, tata le ukulele means 'play the ukulele.
In Samoan mythology the origin of the tatau in Samoa is told in a myth about twin sisters Tilafaiga and Taema who swam from Fiji to Samoa with a basket of tattoo tools. As they swam they sang a song which said only women get tattooed. But as they neared the village of Falealupo on the island of Savai'i, they saw a clam underwater and dived down to get it. When they emerged, their song had changed, the lyrics now saying that only men get the tattoo and not women. This song is known in Samoa as the Pese o le Pe'a or Pese o le Tatau.
Back view of Samoan male with pe'a, c. 1890s, photo by Thomas AndrewThe word tatau has many meanings in Samoa. Ta means to strike, and in the case of tattooing, the tap tap sound of the tattooist's wooden tools. Tau means to reach an end, a conclusion, as well as war or battle. Tatau also means rightness or balance. It also means to wring moisture from something, like wet cloth, or in the case of the pe'a process, the ink from the skin. Tata means to strike repeatedly or perform a rhythm. For example, tata le ukulele means 'play the ukulele.
What is was in the Begining.
In the Island of Tutuila Am. Samoa grew up knowing that it's very sacred and hard to get one, Certain steps, ways, cultural have held alot of key issue's upon getting one. Just a couple of them I know from off the top of my head,
1. You have to have a Matai(Talking Chief) name.
2. You have to Understand & Speak the Samoan Language on how it was written.
3. You have to be and voted into from the members of your family with a certain given name.
4. Name given has to be past on to you from your family, not from another who made up a cool spiritual name.
But saddens the Heart that money and greed has taken over that you would'nt have to go throught the neccessary steps if you wanted one. All you need is money and the Artist(Tufuga) and you can get one at a relative's home or friends, upon receiving how it makes you feel like a man or a warrior. But in actuality? It's like a Bachelors Degree that has been bought! And I don't Understand how can a Tattooist(Tufuga) put a price on something that holds true and every meaning to our culture? It's Priceless!! I do hope that we truly understand how our ancestor's bled in history on how and it came to be called a "Pe'a."
Many died and battles were fought over the "Pe'a." In my honest opinion, our culture is now and slowing fading away due to the lack of teaching's, many in our generation distracted. But before the church and the good word(Bible) touched Samoans, we were not in our best ways either. In the beginning our ancestor's were into cannibalism, that is a true fact how I have read stories and acted out in a church play at one time. Now that is another Story to talk about, but for now I think you have an idea where I was going with this. Be true to our culture and do not let it slip from our native tongue's and Heart's, Taofi mau i lau aganu'u!
Soifua.
1. You have to have a Matai(Talking Chief) name.
2. You have to Understand & Speak the Samoan Language on how it was written.
3. You have to be and voted into from the members of your family with a certain given name.
4. Name given has to be past on to you from your family, not from another who made up a cool spiritual name.
But saddens the Heart that money and greed has taken over that you would'nt have to go throught the neccessary steps if you wanted one. All you need is money and the Artist(Tufuga) and you can get one at a relative's home or friends, upon receiving how it makes you feel like a man or a warrior. But in actuality? It's like a Bachelors Degree that has been bought! And I don't Understand how can a Tattooist(Tufuga) put a price on something that holds true and every meaning to our culture? It's Priceless!! I do hope that we truly understand how our ancestor's bled in history on how and it came to be called a "Pe'a."
Many died and battles were fought over the "Pe'a." In my honest opinion, our culture is now and slowing fading away due to the lack of teaching's, many in our generation distracted. But before the church and the good word(Bible) touched Samoans, we were not in our best ways either. In the beginning our ancestor's were into cannibalism, that is a true fact how I have read stories and acted out in a church play at one time. Now that is another Story to talk about, but for now I think you have an idea where I was going with this. Be true to our culture and do not let it slip from our native tongue's and Heart's, Taofi mau i lau aganu'u!
Soifua.
Monday, May 16, 2011
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