Samoan Tataus and My Culture - 1875 Words

In our world today, Tattoo is a form of art displayed on the skin. In many countries, tattoos symbolize different meanings, but in America, tattoo has lost its true meaning and is being performed on a daily basis. In our society today, tattoos are becoming more of a trend. For instance, people are getting flowers such as a rose being a popular one, tattooed on them. Currently nowadays, people are getting anything tattooed that interests them and it is losing its significance. Back in Samoa, a small little cultural country, traditional Samoan Tattoos are something that are considered sacred and have true meaning behind it. The artwork and designs go beyond being skin deep. In every Samoan tattoo, there are history and deep meanings behind each and every one. It takes a lot of hard work to earn in order in having the honors to receive the Samoan tattoo. Not only is the Samoan Tattoo a form of beautiful art, but it also resembles respect, loyalty, honor, community, and the growth of acc omplishment in a person. It is not like in America where getting a tattoo done is easy and your own decision, the Samoan culture takes a lot of pride and courage into doing so. The word Tattoo is believed to have originally come from the Samoan word â€Å"Tatau†. â€Å"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