Tatau book 'A history of Samoan tatooing'...

Just in case you were interested in tatau or Samoan tatooing, there's a new book out by Sean Mallon about the history of tatau dating back around 3,000 years. It's a fascinating book because it has so much information surrounding it for both men and women.

Within living memory, I don't know of many of my older generations who had a traditional Samoan tatoo as when Christianity came upon the scene, much of this practice was frowned upon by the church as seeing it as much of a 'heathen' practice.

But tatau practices continued dispite this, as having a malu (women's traditional tatoo on the thighs to knees and or hand) and man's malofie, pe'a or soga'imiti (around the torso and upper legs) is seen as a cultural marker or identifier. It's also signifies bravery in having to undertake the arduous pain of being inked through traditional means as in not completing one would be seen as a shameful thing.

Once only for people of rank i.e. matai (chiefs) and their daughters or taupou (young women of rank) but in the past century that has changed to many choosing for themselves to receive tatau for their own personal or family reasons. In fact, in recent years, there's been a resurgence of interest as many receive tatau but not necessarily understanding the significance of it or being able to speak the language fluently i.e. in times of old a malu was hidden with 'tapu' status but these days many young women show it off with shorts as more of a fashion statement?

There's been a lot of interest in tatau since Europeans first witnessed seeing them in the 1700s in Samoa and thinking that they were some type of stocking in not ever seeing something like that before. Even some non Samoans have opted for the various traditional designs to their fascination or appreciation of the antiquity of some of these traditional designs.

I would highly recommend this book for those who are interested or wanting to learn more about tatau as their are many different aspects to tatau but also for those wishing to receive one. At present that Auckland Council is looking into the hygiene aspects of tatau for those in Auckland and there is a consultation meeting coming up for which I will post up for those wishing to attend.

Definitely a must read, as having skimmed through it, the book suggests that it has a lot more complicated history than it may seem on the surface...