Latest news with #Tualima
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.
BBC News
03-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Brumbies flanker Tualima diagnosed with dengue fever
Tuaina Taii Tualima, a flanker with Australian Super League side ACT Brumbies, has been diagnosed with dengue 27-year-old caught the mosquito-borne disease during a team trip to Fiji in February, when he made his debut for the club against Fijian Tualima was unable to participate in the second game of the tour after falling ill. "The affected player has been diagnosed early and is receiving medical input from the team doctor and an infectious disease specialist," a statement from the Brumbies fever is transmitted by infected mosquitos. The Fijian government announced an outbreak of the disease in early February, when more than 200 cases had been most people recover from dengue fever within seven to 14 days, it can on rare occasions be deadly. The club have not announced an expected return date for Tualima. Formerly of Queensland Reds, Tualima joined ACT Brumbies from Melbourne Rebels in 2024.
Reuters
03-03-2025
- Health
- Reuters
Brumbies forward returns from Fiji with dengue fever
SYDNEY, March 3 (Reuters) - ACT Brumbies forward Tuaina Taii Tualima returned from the Super Rugby Pacific match against Fijian Drua in Suva two weeks ago with the mosquito-born disease dengue fever, the team said on Monday. Tualima, who signed from the now defunct Melbourne Rebels in the off-season, made his debut for the Canberra-based team at blindside flanker in the clash in the Fijian capital on February 15, which the Brumbies won 36-32. The 27-year-old was a late withdrawal from the bench for the loss to Western Force in round two of the competition and left out of the matchday squad for last weekend's defeat at the hands of Waikato Chiefs in Hamilton. "The team took all preventative measures against mosquito-borne illnesses, however one of our players, Tuaina Taii Tualima, has become ill after catching dengue fever," the Brumbies said in a statement on Monday. "The affected player has been diagnosed early and is receiving medical input from the team doctor and an infectious disease specialist." The Fijian government announced an outbreak of the infectious disease in the western part of the country's main island away from Suva in early February, saying 200 cases had been recorded this year. While severe dengue fever can be deadly, most people recover after two to seven days even if fatigue can linger for several weeks. The absence of Tualima, a powerful ball-running flanker, is a blow to the Brumbies, who are already without injured Wallabies loose forwards Rob Valetini and Tom Hooper for Friday's visit to Auckland to play the defending champion Blues.
