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after interview with Mr Tele'a.
Every motif of a Samoan tattoo has a name and a meaning. Samoans have got the names of their tattooes from birds, objects, creatures, animals, fish and plants, as these were all useful to them in the past.
Some definitions of these are as follows:
* Faavaetuli - (the tuli's footprint) - the tuli was the bird of the supreme Atua, Tagaloalagi.
* Faaatualoa - (centipede) - believed to be one of a god of the past.
* Faalaupaogo - (panadus leaf) - one of the important plant to the Samoans.
* Faapepe - (butterfly) - one of a useful insect to the Samoans.
* Faagogo - (tern) - another important bird to the Samoans
* Faaupega - (net) - very useful for fishing - for Samoans everyday need.
* Faaanufe - (caterpillar) - a symbol of a new life to a Samoan man.
* Faasigano (male pandanus flower) worn by the Samoan young men for their pride to be real Samoans
* Faamulialiao (shellfish) - one of the most important shellfish to the Samoans
As mentioned before, many of the motifs also have symbolic meanings.
(1) The va'a (canoe) - a black strip about 20-30 cm wide across the back with faaulutao (known as arrow point) at both ends, going towards the front under the armpits, represents the aiga(family) which the wearer of the tatau must protect (with spears).
(2) Pula laiti - also known as tama'i pe'a, the young of the flying fox which she carries under her wings. The wearer of the tatau must protect and nourish his immediate family.
(3) Pula tele - the same principal of caring but for the whole extended family.
(4) Aso laiti - small lines on your sides which are secretly kept for decoration. A symbol of a sister of a young man to be respected and given first preference.
(5) Aso tali itu - other lines propping your sides to symbolise your relationships and accomplishments as a child.
(6) Aso faaifo - known as curved lines, signifying rank and your commitment to your father and mother's family.
(7) Faaila tatau - symbolic of your readiness to serve your family for the rest of your life.
Every Samoan tattoo has all those symbols even though there are different tattoo artists.
Blog post to record your findings and new understanding
Pe'a presentation - 17th November 2014
Symbolism
Symbols in the Pacific
Part 1: Tatau journey of Samoan brothers. Tufuga Suluape, Auckland University
Part 2: Tatau Journey
Interior of Samoan Fale
Parts of the Tatau
Monday 10th November
Symbol: something that stands for or represents something else, for instance a skull and crossbones representing poison or pirates, an "zebra stripes" representing a pedestrian crossing, a pumpkin for Halloween, silver fern for the All Blacks.
Tattoo Symbolism Mini-Project - due Monday 1st December
In the real world, tattoos are often symbols and permanent representation of pieces of people’s identity. For this project, you will be asked to create drawings of two tattoos –
1. one as a symbol of any one part of your culture or heritage,
2. one as a symbol for yourself.
These drawings should be original ideas and drawings; however, you may use Google Images for inspiration and a guide as to how to draw the image yourself.
Each tattoo must have a written 3 minimum sentence rationale accompanying it, explaining why the chosen symbol accurately represents an aspect of your family’s cultre you have chosen and yourself. Be sure to label which tattoo is meant to symbolize your identity, which tattoo is meant to symbolize a part of your culture and heritage.
Questions to help guide your drawings:
What are YOU interested in?
What do you want other people to know about you?
What do YOU value?
Have you ever lost anyone/anything close to you? Would you want to memorialize them with a symbolic art design of an ornament/structure/symbol or tattoo etc?
Do you have a favorite quote or lyrics that have gotten you or your family through difficult times?
Be creative, think outside the box!
Don’t forget to include a 3 sentence minimum paragraph rationale for EACH tattoo.
Each rationale should explain how that tattoo represents your identity (which will include your culture, heritage and background).
Activity 1:
a. warm up - see how you score with logo/symbol quiz
b. list all the symbols you know, attach a description in text or an image you draw
c. draw any symbols that are important to your and your family and explain why.
Symbols in your family or community.
Learn and Create:
a. Are there symbols that are important to your family? What about community?
b. Where do you see these symbols?
c. Are any in the form of a tattoo?
Symbols in tattoos.
Discussion in pairs:
Think of the tattoos you have observed. Is there a common element to the tattoo's?
Location on body?
Size?
Colour?
Symbolic?
Culture of those who have them?
Activity
a. Draw the most common tattoo you have seen
b. Post on your blog post with your explanation of why you think people have tattoos
Learning:
Please read this following:
1.article titled The Truth about the Samoan Tattoo - Tatau' in preparation for our learning around symbolism.
2.Symbols in Samoan tattoo:
Symbolism in art
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