Tonga tattoo designs

There is still debate over the definitive origins of Polynesian culture and that transfers also, to the notion of tattooing.

In I began tattooing, primarily doing a mixture of Polynesian styles. I began asking my parents, aunts and uncles, and other family members. The more I asked the more I realized that many of them knew traditional tattooing was once practiced, but preferred it not be resurrected because of Christian values. However, in my early days of tattooing I also encountered many Tongans eager to get tattooed and delve into that part of their history. Many had stories that they overheard in family discussions and kava circles. These stories ranged from uncles being tattooed in Samoa, to remembering grandmothers having marks on their bodies resembling more traditional tattoos than anything Western.

Tonga tattoo designs

Koloamatangi is an artist and cultural tattoo practitioner. His practice is built on historical accounts, gleaned from texts, museum collections, and Tongan oral traditions. Ref: PUBL As the Wesleyan missionary understood it, fonua is used to describe land, country, territory, and place. Additionally, fonua can refer to the people of the land. The term can also be used when speaking of a grave and is the word for afterbirth or placenta. Fonua is inherent in life cycles and underpins the relationship between people, place, and the natural environment. Pacific Art curator Nina Tonga introduces Pikipiki hama kae vaevae manava, a new initiative that sees Te Papa team up with Tongan communities in Auckland to explore the rich cultures…. Senior Curator Pacific Cultures Sean Mallon looks at what the archival and published record tells us about tattooing in Tokelau. The Tongans brought tattoo with them as far as years ago when all Polynesians were Lapita Pottery Migrators settling the Pacific. The Tongan tattoo kit that was carbon dated to yrs old is proof of it. The tatau was not brought to Tonga from Fiji. It was the other way around. Who wrote this? Your email address will not be published.

Most often a tufuga from neighboring Samoa performed this service. Humans are said to be descendants or children of Rangi Heaven and Papa Earthwhich were said to once be united.

Tatatau - Tongan Tattoo. This site was created to address the lack of awareness of the Tongan Tatatau tradition. After researching for years, I've decided to compile the little information found on Tongan Tatatau. Early reference on Tongan Tattooing is scarce and the knowledge of it is quickly passing with each generation. I wanted to preserve this once important part of the Tongan culture and provide an accessible site for those interested in learning more. Because of the lack of sufficient information, some views may conflict with those presented here. I have come across many of these contradictions myself when speaking with Tongans and non-Tongans.

In ancient Tonga, the process of tattooing meant enduring a long and highly painful time spent having large sections of the skin covered in traditional and asymmetrical black designs. The needles we associate with modern day tattooing are a far cry from the organic Polynesian tools, which were crafted out of animal bones, shells and wood. With the arrival of Western missionaries the tradition was deemed unsafe and unchristian, and was officially outlawed in Missionaries successfully wiped out much of the historically important information on these ancient ways of tattooing, and today some Tongans are not even aware that their ancestors bore tattoos despite the fact of its importance in Pacific Island cultures. Knowledge of the craft has been slowly forgotten over the centuries, and whilst, due to Western appropriation of the art across the Pacific, tattooing has enjoyed a resurgence of popularity among many, in Tonga they are still considered a taboo by the majority of the population. In recent years however, a few Tongan tattoo artists have been slowly bringing back the ancient craft of tattooing, and some are promoting the art in a new and safe way. Samoan Tatau designs are very unique, and its origins stem back thousands of years. Considered a mark of manhood, the origins of these tattoos are said to have begun with a pair of Siamese twin sisters who, when swimming from Fiji carrying tattoo supplies, sang a song outlining that only women can attain tattoos. Before their eradication from the islands, both men and women did bear tattoos with varying characteristics.

Tonga tattoo designs

Koloamatangi is an artist and cultural tattoo practitioner. His practice is built on historical accounts, gleaned from texts, museum collections, and Tongan oral traditions. Ref: PUBL As the Wesleyan missionary understood it, fonua is used to describe land, country, territory, and place.

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Polynesian people built their culture around this. Independence is a trait that is valued highly in Polynesian society as in most others , however individualism is not. It is the only known sketch of the traditional Tongan Tatatau. Next Post: Which petrel is this? Nearly everyone in ancient Polynesian society was tattooed. The skill is often passed from father to son, each artist learning the art after many years of serving as an apprentice. Ankles and wrists represent a tie and bracelets placed there often symbolise commitment. The shoulders and upper arms above the elbow are associated with strength and bravery and they relate to people such as warriors and chiefs. The turtle or honu is another important creature throughout all Polynesian cultures and has been associated with several meanings. Like most early drawings, however, there have been criticisms. The tatau was not brought to Tonga from Fiji. Lizards are very powerful creatures who bring good luck, communicate between the humans and the gods and who can access the invisible world. Here he is dancing and celebrating after the completion of his tattoo and traditional blessing. This is a pattern or stylisation of the lizard symbol, and as mentioned above it does look rather similar to the human-form stylisation enata.

In I began tattooing, primarily doing a mixture of Polynesian styles. I began asking my parents, aunts and uncles, and other family members.

Family and friends would assist in the healing process because even extremely simple tasks e. The tattoo artist held a hereditary and by the same vein, a very highly privileged position. Another legend is that European sailors liked the Polynesian tattoos so much that they spread extremely fast in Europe because the sailors emblazoned the tattoos on their own bodies. You might also like. At this time, Tonga underwent radical political and religious changes with the arrival of Westerners. Fonua is inherent in life cycles and underpins the relationship between people, place, and the natural environment. Individuals who wear the markings serve as reminders for Tongans to hold close to their cultural traditions in the rapidly changing world. Tattooing has long been a part of Pacific Island cultures since the first island communities arose. So sometimes, the ocean can be used to represent death and the beyond. Nearly everyone in ancient Polynesian society was tattooed. I have heard that some of the areas that appear to be solid black were actually fine and closely spaced patterns that from a distance appeared to be solid black. It is the only known sketch of the traditional Tongan Tatatau. Tatouage de la Cuisse des hommes. Additionally, fonua can refer to the people of the land.