Latest news with #Pe'a
Scoop
04-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
Historic Samoan Tattoo Event Makes Global Museum History At Tūhura Otago Museum
Press Release – Tuhura Otago Museum The event began with a public talk where Sua Suluape Peter shared the rich cultural history of the Pea and Malu traditional Samoan tattoos for men and women and followed with a live tattooing session, deeply spiritual and emotionally … Yesterday marked a monumental moment in cultural history as Tūhura Otago Museum hosted the world's first-ever public demonstration of traditional Samoan tattooing in a museum setting. The event, which drew a captivated audience, was also a first for Dunedin and the South Island, making it a truly landmark occasion. World-renowned Su'a Sulu'ape Peter, a tufuga tā tātāu (master tattooist), led the live demonstration, a rare and sacred practice steeped in centuries of tradition. Known for his long two-year waiting list, Su'a Sulu'ape Peter's presence in Dunedin for over two weeks represents an extraordinary opportunity to engage with one of Samoa's most revered cultural expressions. The event began with a public talk where Su'a Sulu'ape Peter shared the rich cultural history of the Pe'a and Malu – traditional Samoan tattoos for men and women – and followed with a live tattooing session, deeply spiritual and emotionally powerful. He was joined by his Mea nā'itaua (wife of the tufuga tā tātāu) and au koso (essential assistants), who spoke about their vital roles in the sacred process. This art form, which has withstood colonisation and suppression by Western religious ideologies, was witnessed in full respect and reverence — a moment that connected generations and celebrated indigenous resilience. Pasifika Engagement Co-ordinator at Tūhura Otago Museum, Leota Meredith, reflected: 'The museum is honoured to have hosted this historic event. It's a powerful reminder of the strength and beauty of indigenous art and a proud moment for our Pasifika communities and the wider public.' The event was made possible thanks to the support of Tautala Faletolu, Moananū Pesa Tili, and Talai Naubalasi, Directors of So'oula o Samoa, who have long worked alongside Pacific communities in churches, schools, and universities across Aotearoa. Tautala Faletolu added 'This ceremony marks the first time in history that traditional Samoan tattooing has been publicly performed in a museum anywhere in the world. It's a moment of immense cultural pride and sends a powerful message about the value of indigenous knowledge, identity, and unity.' This unprecedented gathering offered more than a glimpse into tradition, it was a living embodiment of cultural survival, artistry, and connection. A proud day not just for Dunedin, but for the global Samoan and Pacific community.
Scoop
04-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
Historic Samoan Tattoo Event Makes Global Museum History At Tūhura Otago Museum
Press Release – Tuhura Otago Museum The event began with a public talk where Sua Suluape Peter shared the rich cultural history of the Pea and Malu traditional Samoan tattoos for men and women and followed with a live tattooing session, deeply spiritual and emotionally … Yesterday marked a monumental moment in cultural history as Tūhura Otago Museum hosted the world's first-ever public demonstration of traditional Samoan tattooing in a museum setting. The event, which drew a captivated audience, was also a first for Dunedin and the South Island, making it a truly landmark occasion. World-renowned Su'a Sulu'ape Peter, a tufuga tā tātāu (master tattooist), led the live demonstration, a rare and sacred practice steeped in centuries of tradition. Known for his long two-year waiting list, Su'a Sulu'ape Peter's presence in Dunedin for over two weeks represents an extraordinary opportunity to engage with one of Samoa's most revered cultural expressions. The event began with a public talk where Su'a Sulu'ape Peter shared the rich cultural history of the Pe'a and Malu – traditional Samoan tattoos for men and women – and followed with a live tattooing session, deeply spiritual and emotionally powerful. He was joined by his Mea nā'itaua (wife of the tufuga tā tātāu) and au koso (essential assistants), who spoke about their vital roles in the sacred process. This art form, which has withstood colonisation and suppression by Western religious ideologies, was witnessed in full respect and reverence — a moment that connected generations and celebrated indigenous resilience. Pasifika Engagement Co-ordinator at Tūhura Otago Museum, Leota Meredith, reflected: 'The museum is honoured to have hosted this historic event. It's a powerful reminder of the strength and beauty of indigenous art and a proud moment for our Pasifika communities and the wider public.' The event was made possible thanks to the support of Tautala Faletolu, Moananū Pesa Tili, and Talai Naubalasi, Directors of So'oula o Samoa, who have long worked alongside Pacific communities in churches, schools, and universities across Aotearoa. Tautala Faletolu added 'This ceremony marks the first time in history that traditional Samoan tattooing has been publicly performed in a museum anywhere in the world. It's a moment of immense cultural pride and sends a powerful message about the value of indigenous knowledge, identity, and unity.' This unprecedented gathering offered more than a glimpse into tradition, it was a living embodiment of cultural survival, artistry, and connection. A proud day not just for Dunedin, but for the global Samoan and Pacific community.
Scoop
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Historic Samoan Tattoo Event Makes Global Museum History At Tūhura Otago Museum
Yesterday marked a monumental moment in cultural history as Tūhura Otago Museum hosted the world's first-ever public demonstration of traditional Samoan tattooing in a museum setting. The event, which drew a captivated audience, was also a first for Dunedin and the South Island, making it a truly landmark occasion. World-renowned Su'a Sulu'ape Peter, a tufuga tā tātāu (master tattooist), led the live demonstration, a rare and sacred practice steeped in centuries of tradition. Known for his long two-year waiting list, Su'a Sulu'ape Peter's presence in Dunedin for over two weeks represents an extraordinary opportunity to engage with one of Samoa's most revered cultural expressions. The event began with a public talk where Su'a Sulu'ape Peter shared the rich cultural history of the Pe'a and Malu – traditional Samoan tattoos for men and women – and followed with a live tattooing session, deeply spiritual and emotionally powerful. He was joined by his Mea nā'itaua (wife of the tufuga tā tātāu) and au koso (essential assistants), who spoke about their vital roles in the sacred process. This art form, which has withstood colonisation and suppression by Western religious ideologies, was witnessed in full respect and reverence — a moment that connected generations and celebrated indigenous resilience. Pasifika Engagement Co-ordinator at Tūhura Otago Museum, Leota Meredith, reflected: 'The museum is honoured to have hosted this historic event. It's a powerful reminder of the strength and beauty of indigenous art and a proud moment for our Pasifika communities and the wider public.' The event was made possible thanks to the support of Tautala Faletolu, Moananū Pesa Tili, and Talai Naubalasi, Directors of So'oula o Samoa, who have long worked alongside Pacific communities in churches, schools, and universities across Aotearoa. Tautala Faletolu added 'This ceremony marks the first time in history that traditional Samoan tattooing has been publicly performed in a museum anywhere in the world. It's a moment of immense cultural pride and sends a powerful message about the value of indigenous knowledge, identity, and unity.' This unprecedented gathering offered more than a glimpse into tradition, it was a living embodiment of cultural survival, artistry, and connection. A proud day not just for Dunedin, but for the global Samoan and Pacific community.
Otago Daily Times
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Tattoo was ‘extra special'
Getting a traditional Samoan tātāu (tattoo) really does bring a tear to the eye — in more ways than one. Dunedin-born Samoan Vicky Fitiao, who got a Tualima (a traditional hand tattoo) yesterday, said she was fine until she could feel the Au (tattoo comb) hitting the bones in her fingers. "It was extremely painful, only in certain areas — mainly my fingers, in the lower parts of my fingers — they were the worst. "I think it was more [that] I could feel it hitting my bone." Most Samoans get one hand done at a time, but Mrs Fitiao had both done. She said she had had two sons, and it was not quite as painful as childbirth, but pretty close. Yet, the thing that really brought a tear to her eye was the fact her tātāu was done by world-renowned tufuga tā tātāu (master tattooist) Su'a Sulu'ape Peter, during a live public demonstration at Tūhura Otago Museum yesterday. She said it was an honour to have her tātāu done by Mr Peter. Dunedin-born Samoan Vicky Fitiao proudly shows her Tualima (traditional Samoan hand tattoo), done by tufuga tā tātāu (master tattooist) Su'a Sulu'ape Peter (below) yesterday. Photos: Peter McIntosh "It just gives it that extra special meaning. "It makes me proud of my heritage and my culture. "And just hearing all the people in there, with their words of encouragement, got me through it. "It certainly brings a tear to the eye, in more ways than one. "These are tears of joy and happiness, that I've been through it now." The public event was historic because Tūhura Otago Museum was the first museum in the world to show how the sacred art form was created. Museum Pasifika engagement co-ordinator Leota Meredith said the museum was honoured to host such a significant event. "This is an incredible opportunity for our Pasifika communities and the wider public to witness and gain insight into this powerful, unique and historic traditional art form." The work was done in front of a live audience at Tūhura Otago Museum. She said it offered a rare and respectful window into the resilience, beauty and cultural importance of Samoan tattooing. The event included an 'ava, or kava ceremony, and a public talk about the culture behind the practice, followed by the live tātāu demonstration. The art form has endured through generations, resisting the forces of colonisation and Western religious ideologies that sought to suppress it. Mr Peter is a direct descendant of Samoa's principal tattooing lineage and he continues in his forebears' footsteps, upholding and protecting the sacred tradition entrusted to his family. He will be in Dunedin for the next two weeks, performing Pe'a and Malu — traditional Samoan tattoos for men and women — along with his Mea nā'itaua (wife of the tufuga tā tātāu) and au koso (essential assistants). The tattooing is a deeply spiritual process that honours the recipient's ancestors and family, creating a powerful connection between past and present. During his time in Dunedin, Mr Peter will perform a traditional Pe'a for a Dunedin man, which is expected to take up to a week to complete.
