Learn about the traditional practice of Samoan tattooing at the Cultural Village in Apia, Samoa
An overview of traditional Samoan tattooing.
© Fun Travel TV (A Britannica Publishing Partner)
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Transcript
BEN: Well, Samoa is definitely a country full of culture and tradition. And a great way to get some insight into this vibrant lifestyle is to take the tour at the Cultural Village.
VILLAGER: [SAMOAN]!
BEN: Located in Arpia in the STA Compound, the Cultural Village will give you the opportunity to witness firsthand many of the Samoan traditions. And the traditional tattooing-- now, THIS is a real eye-opener.
VILLAGER: So the [? tao ?] is one of our ancient practice that is still survives to this day. The practice is very much intact and alive. Now there are 12 sessions of it. They put you in very intense pain for a very, very, long, long time.
But the whole idea why we do tattooing, or our full body tattoo, it's more like an initiation from boyhood to manhood. It's the courage and the bravery to take on any challenges in life as long as it benefits the well-being of your family, and your village, and your community, and your country.
[SINGING IN SAMOAN]
BEN: So if you're lucky enough to come here on a Thursday, you'll be able to try their [? Umu. ?] I got the taro, [? what do you say, ?] squeeze this.
Whew!
VILLAGER 2: There you go.
VILLAGER: [SAMOAN]!
BEN: Located in Arpia in the STA Compound, the Cultural Village will give you the opportunity to witness firsthand many of the Samoan traditions. And the traditional tattooing-- now, THIS is a real eye-opener.
VILLAGER: So the [? tao ?] is one of our ancient practice that is still survives to this day. The practice is very much intact and alive. Now there are 12 sessions of it. They put you in very intense pain for a very, very, long, long time.
But the whole idea why we do tattooing, or our full body tattoo, it's more like an initiation from boyhood to manhood. It's the courage and the bravery to take on any challenges in life as long as it benefits the well-being of your family, and your village, and your community, and your country.
[SINGING IN SAMOAN]
BEN: So if you're lucky enough to come here on a Thursday, you'll be able to try their [? Umu. ?] I got the taro, [? what do you say, ?] squeeze this.
Whew!
VILLAGER 2: There you go.
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