Kōrero: Samoans

Pe‘a tattooing (1 o 2)

Pe‘a tattooing

Fa‘asamoa (Samoan culture) inevitably changed in New Zealand. However, many Samoans continued the traditional practice of tattooing. The pe‘a tattoo, shown here in a self-portrait by Greg Semu, is worn by men and normally extends from the waist to the knee. The pe‘a is a very painful process which can take several weeks to complete. It is a rite of passage for Samoan males.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Auckland Art Gallery – Toi o Tāmaki
Photograph by Greg Semu, 1995

Permission of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Te tuhi tohutoro mō tēnei whārangi:

Lupematasila Melani Anae, 'Samoans - Culture and identity', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/mi/photograph/1573/pea-tattooing (accessed 19 March 2024)

He kōrero nā Lupematasila Melani Anae, i tāngia i te 8 Feb 2005, reviewed & revised 7 Sep 2022 me te āwhina o  Lupematasila Melani Anae