Overview
It's often a painful experience getting a tattoo; curator Sean Mallon explains why it is so important in Samoan culture.
Te Papa Collection Object
Tunuma (container for storing tattooing implements)
Related records
Publications & topics (3)
Topic
Sāmoan tatau (tattooing)
The most important Samoan tatau (tattoo) for men is the pe’a – dense tattooing which completely…
Topic
Tattooing in the Pacific
In 1959, a museum display artist made this model of a tattooed Marquesan warrior. At the time the…
Topic
Tales from Te Papa: Pacific Cultures collection episodes
Episodes of Tales from Te Papa relating to the History collections.
Related objects (77)
Object
Tunuma (container for storing tattooing implements)
Su'a Sulu'ape Alaiva'a PeteloAugust 1996FE010596
Object
'Tom, Su'a Suluape Paulo, Tufuga Ta Tatau , Leo'
Mark Adams07 October 1978B.026255
Object
Group tattooing scene
Mark Adams07 October 1978B.026261
Object
'Suluape Petelo, Tuani Guata Moe Malo "victim", Vaipaipa Masina, Fiti Lagi'
Mark Adams13 February 1982B.026272
Object
13.02.1982. Vaipaipa Masina (solo), Tuani Gauta Moe Malo (victim), Su'a Sulu'ape Petelo (tufuga tatatau)
Mark Adams1982B.026277
Object
'Solo - Leota Schmidt and Vaipaipa Masina'
Mark Adams13 February 1982B.026289
Object
27.2.1982. Te Atatau South, west Auckland. Tattooing Seoseo Tuigamala. Tufuga tatatau: Su'a Tavui Pasina Iosefo Ah Ken
Mark Adams27 February 1982B.026297
Object
27.02.1982. Te Atatu South, west Auckland. Tufuga tatatau: Su‘a Tavui Pasina Iosefo Ah Ken
Mark Adams27 February 1982B.026306
Object
'Victim - Seo Seo Tuigamala'
Mark Adams26 February 1982B.026317
Object
26.2.1982. Farwood Drive, Henderson, west Auckland. Tattooing Seoseo Tuigamala. Tufuga tatatau: Su'a Tavui Pasina Iosefo Ah Ken
Mark Adams26 February 1982B.026318
Object
1982. Farwood Drive, Henderson, west Auckland. Seoseo Tuigamala. Tufuga tatatau: Su'a Tavui Pasina Iosefo Ah Ken
Mark Adams05 March 1982B.026329
Object
Mangere, Auckland. Malotau, his wife and daughter
Mark Adams06 March 1982B.026342