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Tattoos

The following song represents both the old and new struggle that the Hawaiian Polynesian people face in regard to westernization of their land and the maintenance of their culture. It ties into the topic of tattoos as this art was lost for some time after missionaries came to the Hawaiian islands in 1797. It wasn't until recently, in the 1980's, that the art of Polynesian tattooing recieved a complete revival.
The selected song, which carry's with it a lot of Hawaain pride, seeks to educate the public today about Hawaiian heritage through hip hop. According to the song, the American system desecrated the Hawaiian land and put much of the Hawaiian culture/language at risk of being lost. The song try's to connect Polynesians today with their royal heritage reminding them to hold on to their "radical roots".

Like the selected song, the following video is of significance to Polynesian tattooing as it reflects on Hawaiian life before contact. More specifically, the music video tells about the ancient history of the Hawaiian warrior which are known today as night marchers. Also known as Auaka'i Po, night marchers are ghost warriors of high rank. Long before foreigners came to Hawaii and interfered with various aspects of Hawaiian culture such as tattooing, the Auaka'i Po used to march on the Hawaiian trails. After contact, the Auaka'i Po died off, but according to legend, their spirits live on.
This music video claims to have real footage showing an earie encounter with the spirits of the Auaka'i Po. The video is of an expedition taken into the heart of the Hawaiian jungle from August 23, 1997 to August 26, 1997. Apparently the people on the expedition went missing after their encounter... The take home message of the legend and of the video is to respect the night marchers as they were the original rulers of the land.

Since its revival in the 1980's, the traditional Polynesian tattoo has had a popular rebirth more specifically seen in a new wave of "tribal" tattoos. The picture below shows a tribal lion tattoo I had done which is of great cultural significance to me. The lion represents my fathers side of the family (Celtic lion); and, more specifically to this topic, the tribal design represents my mothers South Pacific side. This is a prime example of the contemporary application of Polynesian tribal tattoos used by many today.

Below is some information on the beliefs and traditions of Polynesian tattoos. In addition, I thought it would be interesting to share a little bit about tattoos of the South Pacific region. NEIGHBORING ISLANDS My mom is from the neighboring islands of Micronesia (see map) and she gave me some insight into what tattoos symbolized in her culture. Much of their beliefs are similar to the beliefs of the Polynesians concerning tattoos. This reinforces the notion that alot of traveling via (outrigger) canoe went on between these islands. With travel and trade also came the exchange of culture i.e. tattooing tradition, symbolism, etc. Sadly, my mom said, the art of traditional tattooing is not practiced as much as it once was in her islands. Tattoos - PhilWikiWiki

In Micronesia,Tattoos represented masculinity and social status for males. It was a long and painful process to get traditional tattoos and thus it was considered masculine. In addition, the more tattoos one had, the higher up in social class they were. It was not uncommon to see people covered entirely in tattoos from front to back. Tattoo style was also different for males and females. The location and number of tattoos varied depending on gender. Males- had more tattoos; in some cases, even covering the entire body. Females- were limited in both number and location of tattoo (e.g. nothing below the knee). AND NOW ONTO.... POLYNESIAN TATTOOS The Revival of Polynesian lost art The role of tattooing in ancient Polynesian society
As there is no writing in the Polynesian culture, the Polynesians used this art full of distinctive signs to express their identity and personality. Tattoos would indicate status in a hierarchy society: sexual maturity, genealogy and one's rank within society. Nearly everyone in ancient Polynesian society was tattooed.
The revival of Polynesian lost art: Shortly after the missionaries arrival (1797) the practice was strictly banned, as the Old Testament forbids it. In recent years, however, the art of tattooing has enjoyed a renaissance in the early 1980’s. Polynesians are once again taking pride and interest in their cultural heritage, finding their identity in the revival of many lost arts. Tattooing with traditional tools was banned in French Polynesia in 1986 by the Ministry of Health due to the difficulty in sterilizing the wooden and bone equipment.

Tahitian art vs Marquesan tattoos : There is a distinctions between ancient Tahitian and Marquesan tattoos that is often misunderstood, as explains Tricia Allen, academic in Polynesian culture. “They were very different in ancient times. Today few know or realize the difference. Very few know anything about the Tahitian tradition -- even in Tahiti! In fact, in 13 trips to Tahiti, I have yet to meet anyone wearing Tahitian designs! Except one mark on Raymond Graff's torso.” (Raymond Graffe is a “tahua”, a Tahitian shaman.)

1595: European explorers discover Polynesian tattooing

The early Spanish explorer Mendaña “discovered” the Fenua Enana Islands in 1595 and baptized this archipelago Marquises Islands.
But the first descriptions of Polynesian tattooing were written almost 2 centuries later by English Captain Samuel Wallis, French explorer Bougainville and English Captain Cook.
In 1767, Wallis had noticed that it was a “universal custom among men and women to get their buttocks and the back of their thighs painted with thin black lines representing different figures”.
The next year (1768) Bougainville reported in that "the women of Tahiti dye their loins and buttocks a deep blue”.
Height year later (1774), Captain Cook returning from his trip to the Marquises Islands, wrote in his diary “they print signs on people’s body and call this tattow”.
Ma’i (called by the English Omai), the first Tahitian to travel to Europe (with Captain Cook) became rapidly famous partly because of his tattoos.

Traditional tattooing tools

Traditional tattooing tools consist of a comb with needles carved from bone or tortoiseshell, fixed to a wooden handle. The needles are dipped into a pigment made from the soot of burnt candlenut mixed with water or oil.
The needles are then placed on the skin and the handle is tapped with a second wooden stick, causing the comb to pierce the skin and insert the pigment. The name tatau comes from the sound of this tapping.

Sacred art performed by shamans

According to the mythology, the 2 sons of the God of Creation Ta’aroa taught the art of tattooing to humans. It was a tapu or sacred art form. It was performed by shamans (tahua) who were highly trained in the religious ritual, the meaning of the designs and technical aspects of the art.
The designs and their location on the body were determined by one's genealogy, position within the society and personal achievements.
In preparation for the tattooing, one would have to undergo a period of cleansing. This generally involved fasting for a specified length of time and abstaining from sexual intercourse or contact with women.
Dr. ROLLIN described the art of tattooing the following way: “The patient was immobilized most frequently in a sort of vise composed of two trunks of banana trees between which he was attached and held tight. The tattooer, accompanied by his assistants, sang a sort of chant of the occasion syncopated to the rhythm of the tapping of his little mallet. Each drop of blood was rapidly wiped up with a scrap of tapa, so that none be allowed to fall to the ground”. (Note: the tapa is a piece of cloth made out of the bark of a tree beaten with a heavy stick).

Traditional tattoo designs

The traditional tattoo designs, which disappeared after their ban by the first missionaries, reappeared recently thanks to the notes and sketches of over 400 drawings made by missionary Karl Von Steinen! Traditional designs used to represent one’s life history, island of origin, social level, work and activities. These motives were also related to seduction. A fisherman for example could have symbols protecting him from sharks, or a warrior against his enemies.
Mystic symbols represented past ancestors - chiefs and shamans - and the gods (Tiki). These symbols would confer honor amongst the tribe and protection from gods (against natural dangers and evil spirits). These mystic symbols are closely related to the mana – the spiritual force. The mana was inherited from ancestors but the people were supposed to develop and master this power.
Designs meanings and the symbolism of specific body parts are explained in details in the Dictionary of Polynesian tattoo symbols

Tattooing indicated status

Tattooing was begun at adolescence. Teenagers (around 12 years) were tattooed to mark the passage between childhood and adulthood. Different tattoos were added with the passing of years. The more a man was tattooed, the more prestige he had.
Tattooing was not only a sign of wealth, but also a sign of strength and power. Therefore chiefs and warriors generally had the most elaborate tattoos. Men without any tattoo were despised, whereas those whose bodies were completely tattooed – the to’oata – were greatly admired.

The tattooing of women

Girls right hand was tattooed by the age of twelve. Only after that were they allowed to prepare the meals and to participate in the rubbing of dead bodies with coconut oil.
The tattoos of women were less extensive than the tattoos seen on men; generally being limited to the hand, arms, feet, ears and lips. Women of rank or wealth may have their legs tattooed as well.

Polynesian Tattoo today

Today, you will find many places to get tattooed in French Polynesia (see the list of tattooists).
The most popular and appreciated designs are the tiki, the turtle, the gecko, the ray, the shark, the dolphin, as well as many abstracts symbolic designs.
Some artists focus on the aesthetic side, others on the symbolism; the best ones excel in both areas.
Tahiti Tatou strives to help you get your custom meaningful tattoo design.
We offer two services:
- The Dictionary of Polynesian tattoo symbols to help you choose your symbols
- A selection of talented and reliable artists who are available to create your custom design.


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Aristotle_230_03	Latest page update: made by Aristotle_230_03 , May 13 2008, 9:11 PM EDT (about this update About This Update tribal tattoo - Aristotle_230_03 87 words added 1 image added view changes - complete history)
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