Samoan People Research Paper

The Samoan people are a Polynesian racial group from the Samoan Islands. The traditional tattoo is tilted pe’a for males and covered their body from mid-torso to the knees. Female tattoos were called malu, smaller size than the men and typically on their thighs, legs or on their hands.

As Samoan tattoos were considered to be a rite of passage, young chiefs, typically around the age of puberty were very elaborate affairs and marked their ascendance to a leadership role in the society (Skin Stories: The Art of the Polynesia Tattoo). Receiving the tattoo demonstrated the young chief’s commitment to cultural traditions. Also, considering the extreme pain and risk of death by infection from the tattoos, receiving the tattoo proved one’s