While tattooing originated centuries before the Pacific Islands were even populated, tatau - the Samoan tattoo artform - has been...
The Truth about the Samoan Tattoo (Tatau) – Part III
This is Part III of a series of posts about the Samoan tattoo - tauau. If you haven't already, please check out the previous articles in...
More from Fa’atufugaga
Do I have to be Samoan to get a Samoan tattoo?
This article is a bonus post in a series called: The Truth about the Samoan Tattoo (tatau)... which has so far sparked so much conversation in the comments section (below). This series is about the history of the tatau, about the cultural significance of the pe'a and malu...
The Truth about the Samoan Tattoo (Tatau) – Part II
Back in 2010 I had the privilege of interviewing my Samoan culture teacher, Tofaeono Tanuvasa Tavale, outside of class. I had so many questions for him about our fascinating culture, but I especially wanted to know about our tatau (tattoo) traditions. That interview turned into...
The Truth about the Samoan Tattoo (Tatau)
Tattoo is an artform that's been practiced around the world since... forever... but traditional Samoan tattoos - tatau - are an especially iconic expression of Samoan culture and the values we hold as a people. Over time, and partly because our tattoo patterns have become so...
Ie Sina – a lost Samoan art
Ever heard of an ie sina? Quick Samoan language lesson: Ie means sheet or a piece of fabric, like a mat. Sina, can either be short for sinasinā, which is a respectful way to refer to something white, for example: "Ua sinasinā le ulu a le lo'omatua" ...means, "The old lady's...
The Taualuga dance
Yes, I know. I could register at You Tube and put together a collection there of all my favourite clips, but I'm the cool dude (chick) that's going to be different and post my faves here. Why? Because as you can probably tell already, I like to talk / write and bringing the...
Fa’atufugaga
Fa’atufugaga > Mastery of the Arts. Here’s a look at the arts and crafts of Samoa, plus the artisans whose work expresss a Samoan view of the world.