samoan tattoo designs
Samoa, a Polynesian island, has a long heritage of tattooing using a pig’s or shark’s tooth. While you can get a tattoo in the Samoan style relatively easily, you may have difficulty finding an artist who will do a Samoan tattoo using traditional methods. The five stages to the tattooing are: O le Taga Tapulu (back and small of the back); O le Taga Fai’aso (the posterior); Taga Tapau, filling in of solid blocks of color on the thighs; Taga o Fusi ma Ulumanu, from the center of the thigh up to the inner groin including the perineum; and Umaga, the abdomen and navel. Pe’a
Pe’a is the traditional male tattoo. It is begun at the onset of puberty and is very ritualized. The design covers the whole waist and extends to the knee. Frequently used motifs are geometrical shapes, thin criss-crossing lines, curved lines, net-like formations around the groin and the leaves of the pandanus trees. The tattoo can run from just under the ribcage all the way down to the ankles. While you may not be able to get a traditional Samoan tattoo, you can use similar designs and have them done using modern tattooing techniques.
Malu
Tattoos for women are called malu and can be as big as the male tattoos. They don’t have the solid black areas and instead feature more delicate, filigree-like patterns. The women tattoo their hands, unlike the men. The designs run from the upper thigh to just below the knee. Popular shapes and patterns include dots, thick curving lines and starfish. These tattoos were originally used on women as a sign of rank. If you aren’t ready to do such a large tattoo, the fish and intricate patterning lends itself well to smaller designs.
Patterns and Designs
Currently popular Samoan tattoo patterns include the kawa bowl, waves, dots, birds, fish and shells. They tend to be extremely intricate. The Tafuga or tattoo artist decides the appropriate design for the individual and explains the meaning to the recipient. The meaning will be different depending on the pattern, location and shapes used. The pattern is usually symmetrical. Traditional Samoan tattoo designs are never applied to the face.
