Tattoos celebrated as a family affair

Four members of one Samoan family have celebrated a ceremony of blessing – the “Samaga” – where all four proudly revealed their traditional tatoos.

Va’ai Matemini Taulafo said he wasn’t thinking of having a tatau until his family decided to bestow upon him one of his family’s chief titles.

“Wearing a tatau is an open expression of Samoan cultural and spiritual heritage and it is a must for anyone to understand the real meaning that lies behind it.”

“Serving my family with honesty and leading them in the right direction is what matters the most, as a matai, I am ready to serve with all my heart.”

Other family members, Joanne Vili-Taulafo, Nimo Taulafo and Tovia Vili, took part in the ceremony at Vaitele-Uta.

Va’ai said : “As you can see, our family came with one heart to have the tatau and malu as we believe that as Samoans we view this with cultural pride and identity as well as a hallmark of manhood and womanhood.”

“The pain is so intense and it is my understanding that those who have a tatau can remember no other pain greater than it.

“To understand the tatau and its meaning is to understand all of these elements and how they all work together in Samoa’s traditional way of living.”

Master tattooist, Su’a Fa’alili Suluape commented on the importance of tatau (men’s body tattos) and malu (women’s leg tattoo).

“In Samoan custom, tatau and malu is done in a traditional way, together with aspects of our cultural rituals and ceremony, it also has a strong meaning for the one who receives it.”

Su’a works with three assistants, often apprentice tattooists, who stretch the skin and wipe the excess ink and generally support the tattooist in their work.

“It is over now and we wish them all the best in their callings to serve their families,” the master tattooist said.

Attended by the family’s members, the ceremony started with a short service with a prayer of thanks and song led by Father Fereti.

“I encourage the four of you to be strong and rely on God’s help while heading towards your duties as leaders in your family, village, church and the whole country.”

After the service, Su’a murmured a prayer while cracking an egg on their heads symbolising their rebirth as a new woman and man on earth.

A lotion of lega (tumeric) mixed with coconut oil was then applied to their body starting with the malu and then the tatau.

Finally, those who had undergone the tattooing were given the opportunity to showcase their tattoos in celebration of their rite of passage as well as share it proudly with all their admiring family and community. They ended the occasion by performing a siva (dance).