Taema and Tilafaiga: The Origin of Tattooing
The twin sisters Taema and Tilafaiga, divine daughters of the god Tagaloa, journeyed from Fiji to Samoa carrying the sacred art of tattooing. They swam across the ocean holding a basket containing the tools and patterns for tatau. As they approached the Samoan shore, they began singing 'Fafafofoga o le tama' ('The tattoo fits the man'), establishing that body art was meant for men, not women. The sisters taught the Samoan people the intricate patterns, spiritual protocols, and practical techniques of traditional tattooing. Their gift of the pe'a (male tattoo covering from waist to knees) and m