Tattoos In Hawaii Culture Essay

The word Tattoo is believed to have originally come from the Samoan word “Tatau”. “The Samoan word for tattoo came from the Polynesian language, and the word tatau originates from the tapping sounds of the tool made during tattooing” (U.S National Park). The origins of the Samoan tatau have been passed down orally through

My senior project was over the History of Tattooing, I chose this as my topic because Tattoos really interest me with all the different styles and meanings behind them. Some things I already knew about Tattooing is a lot of tribes used tattoos to symbolize things, but I didn’t know what.

The rising popularity of tattoos and body piercing is more than just the latest fashion craze. This type of body art has been a part of this world for thousands of years. Tattoos and piercings have served as amulets, status symbols, declarations of love, signs of religious beliefs, adornments and even forms of punishment (Smithsonian.com). In the later years (1940 – 2000) tattoos and piercings were more common among teenagers and young adults, but now, people of all ages are expressing themselves through body art. To try and understand this rise in the desire to permanently mark ones self, we must first determine the origin and history of tattoos and piercings.

Depending on the style one wants, it is said that some cultures may have rules as to what requirements need to be met to get certain tattoos. Polynesian tattoos have been a tradition that has been carried on from about two thousand years ago. “Tattooing is a sacred ceremony in Polynesian culture. The tattoos and their location on the body were determined by one’s genealogy, position within the society and personal achievements.” (PolynesianTattoo). This quote clearly displays the concept that only certain people, depending on their position in society, have the privilege to get certain tattoos and in certain areas of their body. This also allows others to recognize and identify that person’s position in society. In Polynesian cultures, tattoos

The rich society and convention of the Hawaiians are likewise communicated in their works of art. The greater part of the fine arts of the antiquated Hawaiians are made both for tasteful and practical purposes. The kapa, for occasion is an illustration of the Hawaiians' recognized art. This is a fine material delivered from the paper mulberry plant. The completed item is utilized as swaddles for children furthermore formed to be worn as a skirt by the locals. Kapa is additionally used to make appealing covers. Other privately created works of art are produced using Lauhala or hala takes off. The completed results of Lauhala incorporate bowls, caps, and floor

Tattoos were given to distinguish rank a person's rank as well as to protect their health and spiritual well-being according to PBS. Traditional Hawaiian tattoos are very intricate, precise, symmetrical, and always involving a pattern and shapes of some sorts. Men would mostly receive tattoos on their arms, legs, torso, and face while women would have it placed on their hands, fingers, and tongue. I say “receive” because it was the kahuna that decided what kind of tattoo a person were to have and when. The

Tattoos have been around throughout our history, from Egyptian times to the present day. Many people may say they know the history of tattoos, and where they originate from, but do they really? Does one know that there were reasons that some people had tattoos? There may be people who know the actual history of tattoos and body art and why one would decide to get one; however there are people who do not. To be able to understand the idea of tattoos, one should educate themselves to the history of tattoos. Although tattoos have been considered taboo and a stereotype, history reveals that this particular form of body art has been used for self expression, status and

When you breathe in Hawaii, you breathe in the spirit. The spirituality of the ancient Hawaiian religion can be found all over the island, infusing its peoples with their stories and energy. It is as if the island is alive itself; wherever you go, you can always feel the boost of energy that the Gods are giving off. Religion is an integral aspect of Hawaiian life, permeating every day activities and important events such as birth, marriage, and death. Early Hawaiians believe that nature and shaped events were manifestations and acts of the Gods. Similar to the Ancient Roman religion, there are many versions to the stories of the gods and goddesses consisting of themes centered on betrayal and romance (Beckwith, Ch:1). Some spirits deceive, and some are truthful. “Nothing is impossible to the akua,” gods represented by nature’s elements (Kamakua). Native Hawaiians abided the ancient Hawaiian law system, kapu akua, or laws of the gods, and would carry out appropriate ceremonies and prayers to maintain a good relation with the spirits (Hawaii-guide info). They believe that the Gods have the power to inflict injury if angered by breaking the kapu. Failure to abide this law system was also accompanied by dreadful penalties including various forms of execution (cr.nps.gov). The kapu system was religiously practiced by the early Hawaiians and sculpted Hawaii’s social and political entities until it was overthrown after the death of Kamehameha

Tattooing was also popular amongst Maori men of New Zealand, who covered their buttocks, thighs, and faces. Maori men had their faces tattooed by a “moko“ artist, a technique that is unique to the Maori. The pattern was slowly carved into the skin with a chisel, much in the same way a design might be carved into a plank wood. Ink was then be placed in the fresh wounds to create the tattoo. The process, which was extremely painful, was typically done in stages,

The tattoo is a very old form of body modification, but in spite of that there is still a certain rejection towards those who carry them in a visible area of the body, for some it disfigures what has been created in the image and likeness of God while for others associates this with convicts or gang members mainly because they were one of the first groups to use tattoos to differentiate themselves from the rest of society. But also it is true that there is a very limited understanding about this corporal modification that could be one of the reasons why it can not be appreciated as for how it should be. However, modern society reflects the current popularity of tattooing because it has acquired an entirely artistic meaning to a social expression and a way of identity.

Subcultures involve groups of individuals that step away from the mainstream. We can identify these groups through their out of the norm approach to fashion, music choices, lingo and even recreational activities. As a result of this subculture not appealing to the normal look of the “average” person, society fears these such groups. People with tattoos is a subculture that is misunderstood and even feared by many individuals in today’s society. These so called outsiders are out-casted from these norms in society due to fear and lack of knowledge. Being considered not ordinary is one of the reasons people like to be in this subculture, they get enjoyment from not being like everyone else. This subculture although looked down upon and feared

The Samoans are an ethnic group that reside in Oceania, on the islands of Samoa, in an area of Polynesia. Samoa has been occupied by these indigenous people for about 3000 years, when they came from the west, occupying the islands of Fiji and Tonga around the same time (Barnes and Hunt 2005, 243). They carry many traditions with their culture, however, I will be discussing their tradition of tattooing. Tattooing is the process of inserting ink pigment into someone’s skin to create a permanent design on them. For Samoans, tattoos are much more significant than just a pretty piece of artwork, they are, according to Ryman (2004), a right of passage. I will be reviewing the importance of cultural tattoos, the process of being tattooed, and the varying origin stories of how tattooing first came to Samoa. Samoan tattooing matters because it is a cultural tradition that has been practiced in Samoa for over 3000 years (Ellis 2006, 698).

What used to be the property of sailors, outlaw and rock star is now become a popular body decoration for many people. It’s not just anchors, skulls, and spider web anymore, people have found plenty ways to express themselves with their tattoo. You might be thinking to get your first one, but fear of the unknown can sometimes hold you back from it. The best thing you can do is educate yourself about the process how the human skin is transformed into a beautiful work of art.

Samoans believe the circular flying represents the cycles of life.” (Channell,18). In Samoa these tattoos are given to the chief of the family and he is the one who is fully tattooed. The tattooing is a very painful process and is done by taking pieces of sharpen bone and ink and taping the tattoo in with a mallet. The tattoo designs are beautiful designs consisting of many geometric shapes put together in a way they flows. The tattoo is much respected. Once started, it must be completed or it will bring shame upon the young man, and his family. After it is completed, the young mans gains new status among his people. With the receiving of his tattoo, he has now taken on the responsibly of being a man, and also to be an example and leader of his family.

     The art of tattoo was brought to New Zealand by the Polynesians when they migrated to New Zealand. Men of the tribe are more elaborately tattooed than the women. Their entire faces may be covered as opposed to the women who may only have certain parts of their faces covered such as their chins, cheeks, upper lips, and between the eyebrows.