#LOTS of research on Samoan tattoo symbolism

[theartsyjuicebox]

Research for a tattoo my friend wanted (result below)

[grad701-2022]

Tatau by Inhouse - Case Study

Tatau in Samoan is referred to as a Traditional Tattoo or Pe’a. The story of Tatau begins with two sisters Tilafaiga and Taema swam to Fiji (Fiti) to learn ancient knowledge of Tatau, given by women, worn by women. On their journey back to Samoa, they saw a clam underwater and so they both emerged, got seasick and felt confused and their story got reversed. As they arrived at Falealupo of Savai’i they told everyone that it was the male that got the Tatau the Pe’a but as for women the Tatau for women the Malu still survives.

This case study may not be relevant to our design project but it does reflect more on the cultural aspect of learning these tattoos and symbols and what they mean. This Tatau isn’t only the design aesthetic look but reinforcing the importance of our identity and where our bloodline comes from. So it begins with who we are as young Polynesian men and women to understand the importance of listening and learning as we unfold our identity. Indeed, our design project focuses on the disconnection of Maori and Pasifika people with their culture and language but it doesn’t mean that you're not apart from the bloodline of the family who was brought up into it. The tatau allows young Samoans to engage themselves into learning about these Tattoos although they talk about our ancient history but our family storytelling.

The significance of this case study ‘Tatau’ was to help navigate our way through design problems and effective ways we can reach our target audience. Although, there wasn’t much topic mentioned about this, however, this Tatau publication mainly talked about how the publication was crafted and the process it took. As I was reading through the making of this publication I noticed that there was a lot of research into this project not just the aesthetic looks but also what was written inside.

This Tatau Publication reflects on how Samoan tattooing began in the last 3,000 and how practices nowadays have changed in some sort of part of the traditional symbols or design being deflected to fit into society's liking. It has also been set alongside texts that explore how Samoan tattooing has shaped and reshaped over an extended period by regional and international forces with graphic and editorial design by New Zealand based studio Inhouse.

Within this Tatau publication, it has 320 pages (hardback book) which have illustrated photographic and historical images from the 19th-21st century followed by films, diagrams and posters of related artefacts.

The Ancient Tatau artefacts have shaped how images and symbols can be characterised within modern practices. ‘The book explores the themes of transfigurations and cultural transmission within the context of tattooing. In documenting the movement of the practice across geographical and cultural borders it has indicated that revealing of its persistence and reconfiguration through time and its potential to both demarcate and resolve, that the modern graphic appeal and cross-cultural divisiveness of tattoo offers a seductive chronological entry point into the politics of the body. The design of the book acknowledges this in its bold cover and the presentation of images and text.’

- Tatau by Inhouse.

https://bpando.org/2018/09/21/book-design-tatau/

[culture0ftatt00s]

Polynesian Tattooing Culture

An important aspect of the Polynesian culture is that of tattoos. The Polynesian culture consists of many tribes such as Marquesans, Samoans, Niueans, Tongans, Cook Islanders, Hawaiians, Tahitians and Maori. They originate back to the people of Southeast Asia. Some tattoos can represent their lineage (like the Maori tribes) and other tribes include tattoos about prosperity, strength, goals and more.

The word “Maori” specifically means heart and represents the life spent on Earth. There are many different combinations of lines that mean different things, so the Maori tattoos have the same aspects but are individualized for each person and their unique journey. Most of their tattoos are bands. These bands look like rings, typically wrapped around one's bicep or forearm.

The tattoos also relate to animals and the aspects that they represent. These cultures were intune with their spirituality and the powers from a greater being or beings. One example of this is the Hei tiki (pictured below). It was known as a good luck charm and also represented fertility. Those who had this on their bodies were likely to be recognized as clear thinkers, loyal and knowledgeable. In the Maori beliefs, it was known to represent a human fetus. Not only in tattoos, but the tiki’s could also have been carved, commonly from greenstone. The Hei tiki shows the spirituality of the community of the Maori people. The belief in a symbol having an impact on a person’s life is something that has been passed down through their culture from generation to generation. It also shows that they want to pass down the fertility and strength to their children. They have close familial relationships because they have a very interdependent culture.

The construction of the individual tattoos is a whole process in itself. It is common in the tattoo world to meet with the artist ahead of the actual tattooing to discuss ideas and designs, called a consultation. This holds true with the detail included in the Polynesian tattoo culture. The customer is able to describe their original thoughts and concepts that they want included. This is commonly their family, and each family member has its own type of design.

Another aspect of Maori tattoo culture that is quite exclusive is that of facial tattoos. The face is very sacred in their culture and face tattoos are also the most popular. Similar to the first culture I researched, the Japanese tattooing culture, the Maori used these tattoos as symbols of power, status and wealth. It consists of geometric shapes and patterns. Every Maori tattoo is specialized to the individual receiving it. They may incorporate similar symbols or patterns but no two tattoos are exactly alike. They take a lot of time, patience and money to get the amount of detail that is needed to tell their story. This shows how the Maori value themselves and their families. Many would start getting tattoos during adolescence and it would continue, telling the story of their life. As you could probably imagine, a modern face tattoo would be quite painful. The Maori use techniques that involve deep cuts followed by a chisel dipped in pigment poking into the cuts. This is another reason the tattoos were viewed as a symbol of strength. Withstanding the pain of this process was important to show pride. This is also why it was common for the warriors to receive these tattoos.

The Polynesians had a strong sense of culture, spirituality, strength, prosperity and community. Each of those which were shown just by the glance at their tattoos. You could immediately read a person’s life from their tattoos. This was very important in their culture and shows their interdependence by marking their family on their bodies. Polynesian tattoos are truly one of a kind.

[dotattoosaffect-blog]

“The Art of the Tattoo”

Although the book that I choose to read, by Russ Thorne, did not exactly go hand-in-hand with the topic of my research question it also gave me a different perspective to look at as I try to answer my question on how people with tattoos are unqualified for a career.  A majority of this book discusses the history, background, and tradition behind tattoos.  

This book has opened my eyes to new parts of tattoos I hadn't thought about beforehand.  Tattoos go so far back in time to tribal tattoos and symbolic meanings.  “For the Samoans they were a badge of identity and created a sense of community that they still carry for many. (Thorne p.48)” This is a quote from the book outlines that in certain races and regions of the world tattoos have a deeper meaning behind them then just art.  They are part of who they are. Different tribes have different symbols and different meanings that show to other tribes who they belong to and what they stand for.  This is their culture that has been around for decades, some tribes you have to earn your right to get that certain tattoo.  I believe that it is completely inappropriate to claim someone is unprofessional for a job when their tattoo is part of their heritage.  

Even though this book does not 100% go along with my topic question I thoroughly enjoyed it. It gave me just one more reason on why tattoos should not affect employment.  It gives me more information on the background and history behind nationalities and their heritage of tattoos. 

Overall I would give this book is an A+, it is very informative and catches your eye.  This book would be targeted towards a middle level age group. It is an easy read but still has a lot of factual information.