#Samoan tattoo

[inspofromancientworld]

Tattooing in the Far East and Oceania

Since preserving skin takes mummification, without direct effort, a dry climate, whether hot or cold, is needed to create them, so we don't have a complete history of tattooing in many cultures, or even back as far in history as we have evidence of humans. But, there are locations that have preserved skin or customs for us to learn about ancient practices.

Source courtesy Victor Mair, Culture: Unknown, Location: Tarim Basin, China, Date: 1000-600 B.C.

One of those deserts is in China, the Taklamakan Desert, which shows that tattoos were used around 1200 BCE, but during the Han Dynasty (202 BCE - 220 BCE), tattoos were used to mark criminals. These mummies were discovered in the Tarim Basin (which contains the Taklamakan Desert) from what are thought to be the ancestors of Uyghur people today, looking more Caucasian than Asian, were decorated with several motifs, such as crescent moons, suns, and other intricate designs, which may show their primary god and indicate they were a shaman. This interpretation is based on the evidence from near-by cultures. They also tattooed their face at times, which indicated pride in and the importance of the tattoos.

By anonymus - Mann und Weib.III. page 458, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15174677

In Japan, men started wearing elaborate tattoos in the late 3rd century CE, though there is also evidence for tattooing going back to the Joumon (or paleolithic) period given that there are figurines with cord patterns on them. In the Yayoi period (300 BCE - 300 CE) tattoo designs on Chinese visitors in Kyushu were documented on, with speculation about them being spiritual or for status. In the 8th century CE "Records of Ancient Matters", tattooed people were considered outsiders, denying a history of tattooing in Japan. The Ainu people, the indigenous group of northern Japan, however, have a tradition of tattooing for decoration or status, or as protection against disease.

Te Ara The movement of peoples around the Pacific and from Asia into the Pacific over the last 6,000 years.

The Polynesian cultures of Oceania have a very long history of tattooing, developing over thousands of years and through the cultures that developed on the various islands they inhabited. The word 'tattoo' comes from the Tahitian islander's term 'tatatau' or 'tattau', as reported by James Cook's expedition in 1769.

By Louis John Steele - bwEy48meVL_AzQ at Google Cultural Institute maximum zoom level, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21871113 and By Louis John Steele - bwEy48meVL_AzQ at Google Cultural Institute maximum zoom level, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21871113

One of the most well known Polynesian cultures is the Māori of what is now New Zealand. Their tattoos, called 'tā moko' (the art of tattooing), are marks of high status and survived European attempts to eliminate them. Each moko is designed specifically for the person since it conveys much about who that person in, from their family to their accomplishments. On women, these tattoos are centered around the mouth and chin, while men often have tattoos around their whole faces and bodies. To receive a moku, generally certain milestones or accomplishments need to be reached and the recipient needs to have the right social status.

By Thomas Andrew (1855 - 1939) - National Library of New Zealand, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10113865 and By RunningToddler - Bits & Bytes, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3148860

Another well-known Polynesian culture with a rich tattoo history are the Samoa. In Samoa, men receive a 'pe'a' tatto, which covers their lower back and legs, and women receive a 'malu' which covers the legs from below the buttocks to below the knee. Malu tend to be more delicate and less covering than the pe'a, and are focused around a particular motif (called the malu) which is tattooed in the popliteal fossa (back of the knee), and has suggestions of shelter and protection. Sometimes, women are tattooed on their hands and lower abdomen as well. These tattoos are a sign of cultural pride, status, such that when a man completes his tattoo, he is called a saga'imitti and respected because he underwent the painful ordeal. A man without a tattoo is called telefua or telenao, meaning 'naked', and a man who hasn't completed the tattoo process because of the pain (or not being able to pay) is called pe'a mutu, a mark of shame. The tattooists (called a tufuga ta tatau) are revered as well. Modern Samoan tattoo artists continue to practice their art in the same way as they did prior to European contact, with serrated bone combs tied to tortoise shell fragments, tied to a short wooden handle and then tapped with a mallet. The ink is made from candlenut soot and stored in coconut shell cups. A length of tapa cloth (a barkcloth) is used to wipe blood from the skin and tools.

By Thomas Andrew (1855-1939) - http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/Search.aspx?page=8&imagesonly=true&term=Thomas+Andrew, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10113825

Previous post

Resources:

The Beauty of Loulan and the Tattooed Mummies of the Tarim Basin

Pacific voyaging and discovery

Tāmoko | Māori tattoos: history, practice, and meanings

[servetolive]

"E au le inailau a Tamaitai."

To my people my presenting gender is irrelevant; what's important is that I'm a mother, aunt, sister and protector of my family. This is what my hand malu represents.

Happy Asian-Pacific Islander Month. ❤️🇦🇸🇯🇵

[sammieb9]

Michael T Alisa

[ofmdtereomaori]

[theartsyjuicebox]

Research for a tattoo my friend wanted (result below)

[rickpowellwriter]

Samoa

[fortheloveofexy]

hear me out: what if polynesian wymack

[islandtarochips]

Kanoa and Tiala's Tattoos

Just wanna show of how Kanoa and Tiala's tattoos look like. Ok, here is what Tiala's and Kanoa's tattoo would look like on their arms.

That's what it looks like on Tiala's RIGHT arm and Kanoa's LEFT arm.

And that's....where the burnt part was at from the enemies that Tiala got kidnapped by. Only a few burnt part on the tattoos.

Like I said about Kanoa having the similar one on his left arm as well, even going up to his left peck. Like this way:

Their two older brothers, Sami and Rangi, have tattoos on them too.

These older siblings was just representing their culture for their ancestors. And their tattoos tells many stories of it too. That's what I heard from one of my Uncles when I saw his tattoos. It tells stories. And imagining Tiala had lost those marks about her cultures. It was only a few part that was burnt. Making her feel like half of the stories has been erased. Even her emotions. It's a very hard design, yes. But that's what make their culture more special and creative!

So yeah, that's all I have for now.

[matchbet-allofthetime]

Mauga makes me so happy

Like he's Samoan- and he is COVERED chest and arms with tatau! It's intricate, beautiful tatau that are so tenderly designed and I just- *melting*

AWASUGH and he's so pretty?? And playful and his teefies are so cute ohmyfuckinggod

He's also against the law, which is fucking brilliant as part of a minority group (which I think should be talked about more, bc that's so realistic and I love it! Meaningful little addition in my mind)

Anyways I'm not normal about him but I don't think anyone should be

[imabillyami]

I was waiting and hoping for this one YESSS 🔥

[robins--corner]

mauga ...

ft @likethewizardyk

[daemonsdarksister]

In Paul Heyman’s words: ROMAN REIGNNSSSSSS

He looks so fine in his glasses 😍

[littyzwrld]

Hiii tumblr, im back & more traumatized lol

[izzieedraws]

māori tattoos

(disclaimer: any mistake in the tattoo is definitely not intended. This is my first time drawing tattoos on a person as well)

reference: pinterest / unknown

[islandtarochips]

Kanoa and Tiala’s Tattoos #2

I had found ANOTHER one for the Toa Siblings tattoos! Which is this one!

Tiala’s tattoo should be the one on the left and Kanoa’s tattoo should be on the right!

As you can see the lines. The left one is a bit lighter than the one on the right. Like the BOLDNESS kind of markings.

So Tiala is taking the lighter tone one while Kanoa is a bit more solid.

And it’s still the same for Kanoa of his tattoo reaching from his left peck all the way down to his left arm on his wrist as you can see how far (on the right arm) it goes!

Again, I know. It’s a difficult design but that’s what it makes our culture SPECIAL!

Thank you for reading this far! I might post more about these tattoos when I see more of it! Lol.