The word tattoo is thought to have originated from the Samoan word tatau. Samoan tattoo has been practiced for thousands of years and was likely brought to Samoa from Tahiti in ancient times.
The traditional Samoan tattoos for men are called pe'a while the female tattoo is called the malu.
Traditional methods of Samoan tattoo involved a series of blunt wooden tools and the process was extremely painful and there was a risk of infection and death. Anyone who backed out of the procedure was labeled a “pala'ai” (coward).
The traditional Samoan tattoos for men are called pe'a while the female tattoo is called the malu.
Traditional methods of Samoan tattoo involved a series of blunt wooden tools and the process was extremely painful and there was a risk of infection and death. Anyone who backed out of the procedure was labeled a “pala'ai” (coward).