I t goes without saying that these days, tattoos are everywhere. And while societal acceptance of ink has ebbed and flowed, many people who spent hours in tattoo parlors adding to ...

But they failed in Samoa, where men traditionally received markings called pe’a, and women got thigh tattoos called malu. Today tatau has made forays into other cultures while retaining its ...

Etched into her skin from the wrists up to her nail beds, the markings are no ordinary tattoos, but symbols of traditional “tatau” found among the people of the Polynesian island country Samoa.

As its tail quivered, I felt a sympathetic twitch in my leg. Su’a Sulu’ape Paulo III, the sixth-generation Samoan hand-tap tattoo master leaning over me, paused to see if my movement was due ...

“Tatau: Marks of Polynesia” at Bishop Museum features the art, history and cultural significance of Samoan tattoos through a series of photographs by John Agcaoili. Pictured is the tattoo ...

In a village in Savai’i, Tiatia Fiamatai awaits the arrival of Samoan tattoo artist, Peni Soso. Tiatia’s body already displays the full traditional Samoan tattoo, which covers his skin from ...

HONOLULU (Island News)-- A Samoan Army Captain is the first soldier to receive approval to have traditional “tatau” or tattoos on her hands. This move not only honors Captain Isis Sake’s ...

Tattoos in places like Samoa, Tonga, and Hawai‘i can signify a sacred oath to protect and honor one’s community. Audiences are buzzing with anticipation for another rich adventure through ...

Garden Grove's A-Town tattoo shop is one of the only places in the country to offer customers a proper Samoan tatau — a practice dating back generations. David DeMarco is laying on the floor of ...

Army Capt. Isis Sake is the first soldier to receive a religious accommodation for traditional Samoan hand tattoos. (Jon Simkins/Staff) Small arrows, birds and stars adorn the tops of the soldier ...