Tattooing In Samoan Culture

Tattooing was a major part of the Samoan culture. If a chief's son is ready to be tattooed, then the father will come to the tattoo expert and offer a fine mat. If the mat is accepted, then the expert "visits the village and takes a large pig as a present to the family of the patient." (Buck, 1930. p. 641) The pig is divided between the chiefs and the talking chiefs of the village. A talking chief is a noble or title-holder who speaks or acts for a high chief. A ceremonial drinking of the kava takes place and is followed by a feast. The next day, the tattooing begins. The process of tattooing has influenced the Samoan culture with its ties in ranking, tools and patterns used, and legend behind it. Tattoos were used as a ranking status among the Samoans. They also symbolized wealth and a boy transitioning to a man. Make into sentence with quote "Adulthood in traditional Samoan society is marked by the tattoo." ( from 4th source ) If one wanted enhanced designs, the tattoo artist had to be paid a greater amount in food and money. Artists were
said to have done their best work when there was plenty of food and a substantial reward. The chiefs had fancier designs than people of a lower rank and wealth. Make into sentence with quote "Tattooing continues to be means of aesthetic expression." (Bargatzky, paragraph # 1996.) Once tattooed, a man could lift his kilt a little higher to show off his tattoos during dances and to demonstrate superiority over ones who were not tattooed. The tools and patterns used in tattooing had a big impact on Samoan culture. It forced the Samoans to learn precise measurements while making the tools. It also caused them to create designs that now represent their culture. There are four types of tattooing instruments that have different widths for different functions. A piece of bone from a human pelvis was used to form a tattooing comb. Some patterns were formed based off of nature. One example of this is the atualoa, or the centipede. Make into sentence with quote "When bilaterally treated it becomes atualoa, the short lines representing the legs of a centipede. A single line may be used as a body or a double line may represent the body. A couple of short lines are added to one or both ends to represent the head or head and tail." (Buck, 1930. p. 642) There were different patterns used for men and women. The tattooing of a woman was often used as an opportunity for a student to practice his hand. Therefore, men had the more elaborate, precise designs. There is a famous legend in Samoan history that has influenced the tattooing culture.
There were two goddesses named Taema and Tilafainga. They were Siamese twins who went from Tutuila to Fiji. Once in Fiji, they became friends with two tattooing artists named Tufou and Filelei. Teama and Tilafainga were given tattooing instruments and learned the craft from them. The names Tufou and Filelei are used in songs that are sang during the tattooing operation. Tilafainga became the war goddess Nafanua. Taema swam back to Tutuila and continued the occupation of tattooing. It was custom to tattoo the women and not the men. Taema repeated this to herself during her swim, but got the order reversed. When she arrived at Tutuila, her song translated to "When a male grows up, tattoo him. When a woman grows up, let her bear children." (Buck, 1930. p. 660) The art of tattoos is reversed according to this
legend. The process of tattooing has influenced the Samoan culture with its ties in ranking, tools and patterns used, and legend behind it. Tattoos showed the high status of a chief or the low status of a villager that had no tattoos. Make into sentence with quote "The pain was extreme and the risk of death by infection was a great concern. But to shy away from tattooing was to risk being labeled a coward." ( from 3rd source ) The patterns and designs used represent who they are. In theory, the Samoan culture is switched. Tattoos have changed the way that the Samoans live their lives