What is the story behind the Malu?
The traditional female tattoo is the malu and means to be protected and sheltered. It’s applied from the knees up to the top of the thighs. Both male and female tattoos show that you are ready for life, for adulthood, and to be of service to their community.
Who was the first person to discover Samoa?
In 1722, Dutchman Jacob Roggeveen was the first European to see the islands. This visit was followed by the French explorer Louis-Antoine de Bougainville (1729–1811), the man who named them the Navigator Islands in 1768.
What is an Orator in Samoa?
An orator is a talking chief. There is a culture of oratory which is highly developed, with its own style and language, mainly because communication before the arrival of missionaries was exclusively oral.
Why is the malu sacred?
The symbolism depicted on a tatau or malu represents a covenant between a Samoan and his or her way of life. It is “O Mea Sina”. It is sacred. The woman is therefore seen in Samoan culture as the protector and shelter of of the children, the family, and the village.
Why do Polynesians get tattoos?
In ancient Polynesian society, nearly everyone was tattooed. It was an integral part of ancient Tahitian culture and was much more than a body ornament. Tattooing indicated ones genealogy and/or rank in society. It was a sign of wealth, of strength and of the ability to endure pain.
Why is Samoa called the cradle of Polynesia?
According to legend, Samoa is known as the “Cradle of Polynesia” because Savai’i island is said to be Hawaiki, the Polynesian homeland. Samoan culture is undoubtedly central to Polynesian life, and its styles of music, dance, and visual art have gained renown throughout the Pacific islands and the world.
What is a Aumaga?
: the village organization of untitled men in Samoa.
What are the two types of matai?
There are two categories of matai: The Aliʻi who are the high chiefs of the county, village, and family. The Tulafale who are talking chiefs for the county, village, and/or his family.
How painful is Samoan tattoo?
The male tattoo, or pe’a, starts at the torso, covers the front and back, and finishes at the knees. Samoan tattooing can be very painful and those who cannot finish are labeled a coward, said tattoo artist Li’aifva Imo Leni, among the few Samoans who still practice the traditional art.
Can anyone get a Samoan tattoo?
CAN A NON-POLYNESIAN GET A POLYNESIAN TATTOO? Yes, and no. Polynesian tattoos basically use two kind of symbols and patterns: some of them are considered tapu, which means “sacred”, while others are considered noa, or “common, not sacred”.
How did people in Samoa tell their stories?
In the past, Samoa did not use written words, only oral language. Because of this, most of their family history was told to the next generation through oral communication. The elders in the family would sit down all of the children and tell them stories of their past and their parents past.
How are proverbs used in the Samoan culture?
In most cultures, there are proverbs used, however, in Samoa, proverbs become the official language when discussing important happenings between the chiefs. A proverb is a bit of advice that is said in a story or poem.
Who was the maiden who married Olo in Samoa?
In the village of Taga in Savaii, there was a maiden named Lau. She was a maiden who was sought by many young men who competed for her from Samoa. The young man who won her heart was a young man from Falelatai in Upolu named Olo. Then Lau married Olo.
When did Robert Louis Stevenson come to Samoa?
Robert Louis Stevenson arrived in Samoa in 1890, living at his home ‘Vailima’ with his family until his death in December 1894. Stevenson involved himself in local issues, and there are many references to him in the Samoan newspapers. This is a letter to the editor from him: