AdministratorWhat does the tatau represent?
A tatau represents the recipient’s heritage, personal history, present, and future. Their tatau represents everything that makes them who they are as well as who they will be! It also represents their family and the community they belong to.
What does tatau mean in Tahitian?
ta + tau = tatau tattoo artist + person being tattooed = tatau. So, the word tatau, not only in form but in meaning, evokes a physical image of tattooing, as well as the literal translation (‘to mark’) and the sound of tattooing (tatau … tatau … tatau).
What is tatau Samoan?
The Samoan word for tattoo came from the Polynesian language. The word tatau originates from the tapping sounds of the tool made during tattooing. This primitive tattoo tool was made of bone or boar husk sharpen into a comb style shape with serrated teeth like needles.
Do u have to be Samoan to get a Samoan tattoo?
You choose. If you are not of Polynesian descent, both options are equally valid.
Do I have to be Samoan to get a Samoan tattoo?
The quick answer: No. You don’t have to be Samoan to get a Samoan tattoo.
Who can get the malu tattoo?
From at least the 1990s, there has been less emphasis on chiefly qualifications, and women of a variety of backgrounds and ages have been tattooed with the malu. However, the malu is not important to all Samoans, or the only symbol of an individual’s commitment or participation in Samoan cultural life.
How much does a tatau cost?
Tiny Tattoo Cost. A tiny tattoo such as a wrist, finger, or wedding ring tattoo, costs between $50 and $100 on average. If the design is intricate, or if it’s in a hard to get to location such as your inner lip, expect to pay $200 or more for your tiny tattoo.
Is it offensive to get Polynesian tattoo?
DO POLYNESIAN PEOPLE CONSIDER DISRESPECTFUL IF OTHERS GET A POLYNESIAN TATTOO? No, and yes. It depends on how you approach Polynesian art and, ultimately, culture. Plain copying someone else’s tattoo is always disrespectful, because you are stealing their own story.