Polynesia is widely considered the birthplace of tattoos, however there are integral differences in the significance and purpose of Polynesian tattoos and those developed much later in the modern era and post modern world. This sacred form of body art extends far beyond mere aesthetics, serving as a profound expression of cultural identity, spirituality, individual responsibility, and community. Estimated to date back to c. 200 CE, Polynesian tatau begins with a fāgogo, an oral tradition recounting the journey of Samoan siamese twin sisters, Taemā and Tilafagā. This Samoan story not only tells the tale of the twin sisters, but also offers an illustration of the early global connections made across the vast expanses of Polynesia through both the art of tatau and a representation of deep time.
As the conjoined sisters swam from their home island Ta’u to Fiji, they were physically separated by the spar of a canoe. Upon their arrival to Fiji, they meet two tatau artists, Tufou and Filelei. The artists taught the sisters the art of tatau and an accompanying spell that must be sung when performing a tatau ceremony. This spell is an example of tatau’s sacred nature; tatau embodies deeply seated cultural promises and holds great spiritual significance. Through the oral tradition we can observe the spread of ideas regarding strength and resilience, which are later embodied by tatau.
Tatau is to be understood as more than an enhancement of beauty or a stylistic choice. Features of traditional Samoan tatau include the differentiation between tatau for females (malu) and tatau for males (pe’a). Beyond terminology, male and female tatau differ in their whereabouts and symbolism. Pe’a symbolizes strength and resilience, while malu signifies protection and shelter. The distinct designs and symbolism associated with each gender reflect the nuanced societal roles and values embedded within Samoan tradition and culture. In order to reflect the strength and resilience of the twin sisters Taemā and Tilafagā, male tatau is applied to the lumbar region first, where the twins were severed from one another at sea. From the lumbar region, the rest of the tatau follows, finishing in the navel region. A tatau without the completed navel, otherwise referred to as pute, is considered incomplete and should be carried with shame due to the subject’s inability to complete the tatau ceremony.
Samoan tatau serves as an artistic testament to the enduring connections between Polynesian cultures, encompassing a global transaction of art, beauty, and style via Samoan mobility as well as the spread of fāgogo. Through the exchange of knowledge and tradition as seen in the fāgogo depicting sisters Taemā and Tilafagā, tatau deeply enriched the artistic landscape across the Pacific. With the significance of beauty ideals and cultural style in mind, we can observe similarities and differences in the variety of tattoos designed by Samoans, Māori, Hawaiians, and more.
