Motifs Used In Samoan Tattoos

I. Togitogi (dots) These are normally found in the tattoos on womens hands.

II. Aso (thin cross beam) This is normally used when tattooing a man's back.

III. Fa'avaetuli (like the leg of a golden plover) These are normally used in womens tattoos.

IV. Fa'aanufe (worm-like)Generally used in womens tattoos

V. Fa'alaupaoga (like the leaves of a Pandanus tree)

VI., VII. Aso Fa'avaetuli (like the leg of a golden plover)

VIII., IX. Atualoa Used when tattooing the front of mens legs.

X. Fa'amuli'ali'ao

XI. Fa'a'upega (net-like) Used in men around the groin.

XII. Aso Fa'avaetuli (like the leg of a golden plover)

XIII. Aveau (starfish) Used when tattooing women.

On the Pacific island of Samoa, tattooist carried out their art by dipping the pointed teeth of combs into ink and placing them on the surface of the skin. The comb was then tapped so that the teeth punctured the skin, inserting the ink. Both men and women had their bodies tattooed and elaborate designs could take several months to complete. In Samoan tradition, tattoos were restricted to the lower part of the body.

Traditional Samoan tattooing of the pe'a, body tattoo, is an ordeal that is not lightly undergone. It takes many weeks to complete, is very painful and used to be a necessary prerequisite to receiving amatai title; this however is no longer the case. Tattooing was also a very costly procedure, the tattooer receiving in the region of 700 fine mats as payment. It was not uncommon for half a dozen boys to be tattooed at the same time, requiring the services of four or more tattooers. It was not just the men who received tattoos, but the women too, although their designs are of a much lighter nature, resembling a filigree rather than having the large areas of solid dye which are frequently seen in mens tattoos. Nor was the tattooing of women as ritualised as that of them men.