Here's my take on this subject and this is coming from a Native Hawaiian, we're raised a certain way to perpetuate our culture and to respect everyone, a Polynesian Tattoo as I see it, is to express your culture and your roots on where you came from (Hawai'i, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, Fiji, Guam and New Zealand) it has to be respected in a way that you DON'T disrespect the culture. I know a lot of people like these tattoo's because they look cool and the designs are awesome, but you have to understand that when we see another person with a Polynesian Tattoo, we always ask "WHAT'S THE SIGNIFICANCE" of your tatau or tattoo, and if you don't know what it means, to me, you're disrespecting the tattoo and culture. So please understand and take into consideration of why we as Polynesians are very skeptical when other people or culture wear our Tattoo...... Mahalo
@@mrloaty The tattoo culture in the philippines is already modernized. Just like the other parts of the world. But in the areas where tribes do tattoos as a symbol or representation of their culture. Like Whang Od for example, they have restrictions on what tattoos they give people. There are sacred tattoos for warriors/headhunters of the older generations which they don't give to anyone as it is disrespectful to the culture. Especially if you got one outside just for aesthetics. And tattoos have different meanings depending on the tribe. Other tribes has woman tattooed as a symbol of beauty, and not all of em are sacred. So better do your research and know what you can and can't get before getting a polynesian tattoo or any tribal tattoo for that matter.
I’m black, and I recently went to a Polynesian artist to get a cover up tattoo done. I had sent him 3 or 4 ideas of what I wanted and felt he was perfect because his line work was amazing. All the designs I sent were non tribal. But he convinced me to let him freehand something and not to worry about it being tribal. So the final result is something very tribal inspired.
Pasifika tattooing is sacred to Pacific. However if you connect to the Pacific then I’m all for you getting a sleeve. However when it comes to say the Samoan Malofie (Pe’a & Malu), Tongan Tavake and Māori Tā Moko it should be reserved ONLY for our people these treasures tell the stories of our ancestors.
Maori tattoos on non maori will never be classed as ta moko. Its classed as kirituhi. Kirituhi is either a non maori artist or a non maori canvas. Ta Moko is Maori tattooing done by maori on maori Not saying that kirituhi is less than ta moko it just has a different meaning to the wearer.
@@afotualii-mcgeady685 it is less, A kirituhi is represented in the form of Maori culture it doesn't represent the story of a Maori whakapapa and tupuna which a ta Moko and I think a kirituhi is just a western term used to justify Pakehas getting a ta Moko
Are there any Polynesians on this panel? Why are they discussing who should and shouldn’t get it? Btw visiting Hawaii is not seeing Polynesia. Hawaii is the most colonised of all the Polynesian islands. Sheesh 🥴
my thoughts exactly. the two men on the right seemed very nervous to answer the question as if they had no right to answer it because they both have Polynesian tattoos.
Yh im white and I let every race and nationality have white hairstyles. Just like black should accept white people with black hairstyle just like Polynesia should let anyone have there original tattoos it’s racist if you don’t. It’s 2024 let’s actually act like it
It looks amazing that's all I can say. I want to learn more. People shouldn't be afraid of sharing their culture. As long as it's never disrespected. I want to learn more about this.
Yh im white and I let every race and nationality have white hairstyles. Just like black should accept white people with black hairstyle just like Polynesia should let anyone have there original tattoos it’s racist if you don’t. It’s 2024 let’s actually act like it
Polynesian tattoos, culture and languages are all came from the Oboriginal tribes in Taiwan the motherland of all Austronesian languages, which is also the descendants tribes in the northern part of Luzon Philippines. The Filipino tattoos designs are way more older than the Polynesians. All the archeologist who studied the Austronesian linguistic and culture history are all pointing in one direction in TAIWAN check these documentaries, back up by scientific evidence not just from a grandparent's folklore ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-FqMTmeHF05c.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fmzRvMkJ2YI.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-vNgyT1PJaic.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-H3m_SPY2_b4.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-IPCtAjhpW0U.html
I think the meaning behind it and knowing exactly what your getting matters my uso recently acknowledged me as being apart of his family and told me I'm adopted uso we talked about the meaning of each symbol and then we talked about the history of ancient Polynesian people traveling to the America's and sharing their knowledge with the natives from South America to North and I've been wanting to get that story drawn on my arm
I watched the second part of this before the first, so I'll put the same comment here as I did on the other one... I have a large Polynesian (Maori) lizard wrapped around my right forearm. I was once approached by a lady in a pub in London, who politely but firmly asked why I'd chosen the image. She was of Hawaiian not Maori heritage, but obviously still recognised the design. I told her the lizard was to remind me not to forget about the unearned privilege I carry due to my nation's dark history of settler-colonialism, nor to forget that millions in the world are still enslaved, marginalised, oppressed and exploited by Western interests - including, sadly, those of my own government despite the collapse of Empire. Far from lecturing me about "cultural appropriation", she almost looked tearful, took my hand between both of hers and said simply, "You wear it well," before rejoining her friends. But all that said, a sample of one isn't exactly representative, so if there are other Polynesians reading this who think there's something else I have a duty to know if I'm to wear this sacred symbol, please, please don't allow me to live in ignorance. Get up in my replies and educate me. The lizard is part of me now and won't allow me to be offended by your words, no matter how harsh they may be. ❤
Polynesian tattoos tell a story of our bloodline and to never forget our roots. My CookIsland/Tahitian design represents who I am, where I come from, the unconditional love for my siblings, the woman who are the backbone of my family, and the blood of my ancestors that will forever flow through my veins. I have it on my forearm so no matter where I am in life, they are always beside me. Non-Pacific Islanders will get it no matter what. If you're wanting to get it just do your research first, ask for advice and most importantly have respect for the culture. We know it looks cool but make sure you have a good reason why and, don't cry when Polys come at you lol. We are spiritually connected with our ancestors, my tatau is what helps keep me grounded. For someone non-poly to get a tatau, it feels wrong. I won't get a tattoo from another culture unless a tattooist offered to do one out of respect. IMO. First time watcher and subscriber! Meitaki Ma'ata!
For years I admired the poly tribal tattoos but stayed away due to rules on tattoos amongst my people in the California prison system. Chicanos in there take it very serious on what Aztec tattoos you get. You have to earn certain ones. So just in case i ever revisited the system I wanted no issues with getting an entirely different culture tatted on me . Well a couple years ago in Oahu i saw a guys work at a shop and said that is bad ass. I said fk it, I want one. I always believed in getting a tattoo that had good meaning. So I expressed I wanted one that reflected masculinity and strength. I got a whole leg wrap with a hammerhead from my guy, a Hawaiian Samoan. I even had him put in there “Ku Oko A” which means FREEDOM in Poly. Sorry to hurt anyone’s feelings. But I’ll take it from full blooded elder Polynesians that said everyone should get one. I ain’t trippin on anyone else. Look the other way if someone don’t like it. The bigger more serious problem to me would be my own peeps in the system and I hear sht is more lax these days with that type of stuff anyways. Peace.
same I'm chicano and grew up in southern California right on the beach , literally just a longboard ride down the street , polynesian work always drew my attention fast forward 20 years later in my 30s i ended up getting sleeved up on my arm and leg. I remember asking older islanders what they thought of "outsiders" getting island tats and they would glow with a big smile , saying positive things. just happy that other races would embrace their culture. i have found over time its the younger generations that tend to feel salty , which i respect. anyways I'm in my 30s and starting another arm and leg sleeve with aztec inspiration. 🤙
@@R0LLiND33P Right on! I’ve found Island Tats Aztec poly fusion work in the past to be the best I’ve seen. I have to make my appointment soon to go get some work to wrap my other leg.
To be honest as a islander myself I grew up with the Fa'a Samoan way. and one thing that my father taught me was pe'a lou gutu ae e te le'i pe'a oe. which means Tatau your mouth before u Tatau yourself. as in u have to know the meaning behind your tatau. In that being said if ur a non pacific islander but have a reason to get a tatau just saying ur partner was a islander and they past away or u guys have kids or if one of ur friends was an islander and he past away and u wanna get one to acknowledge them or if ur partner is an islander and u guys wanna get married and get tattoo as ur rings or just have an reason then yes get one. but I would highly recommend to stay away from the pe'a or a Ta vaka or if u guys are females stay away from the malu and just stick to a little simple arm band aslong u guys have meaning behind it then yes. also I seen alot of guys put random patterns with other patterns and call it a islander tattoo honestly it's not. it's just called putting random shit on yourself lol. theirs certain patterns can go with certain patterns and theirs some that doesn't so make sure u guys know what u guys are getting and learn the meaning coz the last thing u wanna get is a Tatau and u get jumped by islanders. coz trust me I seen it before. White kid got a samoan tat doesn't know what it means the next day he's on life support.
I’m Tongan and have a-lot of Tongan kupesi ta tatau for my culture. I wouldn’t get the malu or ta moko though just out of respect to my Samoan and Māorian people. For non Poly folks. Do your research because as beautiful as the artwork maybe you better know the history and it’s meaning. You will be question by Poly, please have a good answer of why you tat yourself with a culture that’s not your own. Respect the culture folks and just have a legit reason.
I'm Mexican and I'm getting a polynesian tattoo. I impregnated a polynesian woman twice. My two sons are part Polynesian due to her. So this tattoo will have a good meaning while representing their culture. Plus, those tattoos look badass
My point is that i think everybody can have different culture tats, like, some white people never been to Japan, and they have Japanese tattoo, that's their choice, for me, hell yeah i wanna have polynesian tats, I'm Chinese, and i love the way polynesian tats tell the story
That's your opinion, I respect your outlook's on it, but to us Maoris our Ta Moko is a scared tattoo that represents our culture and our whakapapa basically a story like you said but it was specifically created for Maoris, the story is supposed to represent the narrative of a Maori man not a man of the whites or a man of Asia
@Lost Dracco how do you feel about Filipinos getting tribal tattoos, I know flips got their own style but not a lot of people know that and I feel like some people still look at it as cultural appropriation
@@kenvincent19 Im not aware of the Filipinos as I don't pay attention to Asian culture, but whatever helps revive your long lost culture sounds fine to me
Yes Polynesian tattoos look cool but I want one because I love Polynesian culture. I love their traditional dances and I want to visit Hawaii some day. Also, when I think of Polynesian ppl, I think of them being happy, strong, with sense of humor; they just seem so happy to me and know how to have fun.
Im Australian and as much as I love the Polynesian tattoo's I find it difficult to say Ild do a large piece on me, Ive already got full sleeves and full chest so Im not able to get them in those areas.
Why are there no polys on this panel to have their say?? Literally anything these two say is invalid, they don’t get to have a say about who can and cant have poly tattoos coz they ARENT poly wtf. Get your own native tattoos. How r u feeling more connected to a culture that aint even in your blood? Just admit you got it for the shallow reason that “it just looks good”.
@@aythree1 it’s hard to even reply to what you said because it doesn’t make sense. How does gatekeeping relate at all? What Lea is saying refers to people just getting the Tattoo because of the look then using ‘feeling culturally connected’ as an excuse to justify it. There’s a difference between participating in/celebrating cultures and disrespecting it. Most people who get poly tattoos are disrespectful because they do it for the sake of looking cool. That basically reduces the tattoo, once really meaningful to Polynesian people, to a decoration on other peoples bodies. If Lea wants to call people out on that, it’s not gatekeeping. It’s an effort to protect and respect the poly culture. What’s shocking is that you’re also Poly. So disappointing you would prefer to take another peoples side over your own. But if you wanna be fie palangi and suck up to another people, that’s your choice. And to be honest, when has letting another people have free reign over what they want to do with your culture ever done anything except wipe out the culture? Look at literally any colonised country. Hawaii is a great example to look at.
@@buttercup776 I agree with you on calling people out for disrespecting tatau/tattoo. But my point was that it really doesn't matter who else is on the panel, because no single person can really "gate keep" or set the "rules" for tattoo. Culture isn't fixed. Let's not be mistaken, tatau was a cultural art form that was passed on, shared, and taught throughout Polynesia. Modern Poly/Tribal sleeves are not traditional at all. The Pe'a/Malu is sacred, traditional, and has historical significance, and so I believe that it would be strange for someone outside of Samoan culture to get one. But other tattoos with Polynesian influence is a way for our new generation to connect or reconnect.
Does anyone have a full list of what all the polynesian tattoo patterns mean? The designs are so interesting and I'm really fascinated by the meaning behind all of them.
Samoan culture has a tattoo called (Pe’a) for the mens and (Malu) for the womens and it’s also sacred to us… meaning, only Samoans can get it. If your Samoan but you wanna get it.. you have to EARN it.. you can’t just get it for fashion or the looks..MEANING, you gotta learn the fa’asamoa ways.. there’s also a tattoo for the womens hands ONLY, called a (Taulima).. it used to be a tradition, but now people get the taulima just for the fashion.. A Malu and a Pe’a tho.. No, it’s very sacred to the Samoan culture ONLY… if your not Samoan but you have a (Pe’a) or (Malu), we will take that as a disrespect towards the Samoan culture
You were wrong when you said: if i know a pattern or a significance i will not share it as a tattoo artist. Patutiki or tattoo artist share their knowledge in Tahiti. Sharing is nurturing. Skills make the artist not being selfish about cultural stufff
i love the polynesian heritage and yalls tattoos i want one but i dont want to make yall feel disrespected i want to know how can i get i know you was talking about it i just wanted to clearify
Do your research and know why youre getting it and the story you are trying to tell. Then its clearly appreciation. If they are still offended after that, its probably racism.
Your theory is right bro but a true artist isn’t for the money and it is tru a lot of artist now days do know the meanings of kanaka maoli tattoos there is actually meaning to ever tattoos
So I have a question. I’m a Latino and all my ancestors are from El Salvador and Guatemala. I have always been fascinated with Polynesian tattoos, not just for the looks, but for the meaning. I have always wanted to get one that tells the story of myself and my family, however I haven’t because I do not know if that would be offensive to the Polynesian culture. I would be doing it out of respect for the cultural, Not to “look cool”. Could someone educate me on this subject?
Utilize symbols and motifs from your El Salvadorian & Guatemalan cultures, which are also beautiful when contiplating your tattoo, for it will be a lot easier, simple and meaningful when explaining your tattoo to others 🙏🙏🙏 Like in this video how he is explaining his meaning of the Samoan Spearhead motif that was taught to him - - there is more than one meaning per se per motifs... So, do not tattoo a spearhead on one's self especially, if one has not even handle a spear, yet a lone danced with one... Lol 🙏🙏🙏
I’ve been wanting a Polynesian tattoo for such a long time but I’m Mexican, I want to get one but not sure if other people of that culture will find it disrespectful, is it a good idea to get one?
As a Pacific Islander myself, In my opinion it does come off as disrespectful when I see a haole or someone of a difference race with a tribal tattoo. That is if they only got it for pure looks, but if you were to do research on our culture and the Hardships that we have gone through, I would respect you. Our tribal tattoos tell the story of our people and have deep meanings behind them. Do research first and make sure you completely understand the meaning of the tribal tattoo. End of the day it’s beautiful in my eyes when other people embrace my culture. Peace and love brother. ✊🏽
@@KrisxYona im Mexican as well and i came up with a design that includes Aztec symbols. But i have books on polynesian and maori tattoos and the meanings of the symbols and placement of the tattoo. Im respect for your culture
As a Samoan i have no issue with this. Just learn and appreciate the symbolism and culture behind the practices. Try not to get it if you just want it to look cool.
Don’t be a goofy like many others don’t get it. Get Aztec respect your own and respect others but know your roots. More than likely not Spanish good sir.
Im Ecuadorian and Samoan mix however I was raised in the mainland and know entirely nothing about my Samoan side from my mother therefore I will still get a sleeve 😈😈😈
So anyone can answer this so my family is born and raised on the islands of Hawaii my grandpa is Filipino. I want to get a sleeve with the Polynesian artwork and maybe add some Filipino style in as well. Would it be okay if I did that?
What kind of question is that? If someone doesn’t care about the meaning and only wants it cause it ‘looks cool’ then that’s CULTURAL APPROPRIATION. This ain’t nothing new-
As a Polynesian. Yes you should go for it. Whatever makes you happy my man or woman. We Polynesians don’t judge. Only white far left Americans would say other otherwise
This is definitely not fact. Im Samoan and I assure you the majority do not like non-Samoans getting Samoan tattoos. Especially the malofie or malu. This is not as left vs right thing, what a weird parallel to make 😵💫
Lemme be clear, you can get tattoos in our language because it's literally words in different languages! But its to show off roots from Pacifica! You can appreciate poly culture without getting a tattoo! Like eating our food, listen to our music and wearing our clothes! But some tats aren't meant to be worn by others like if you're a chef's daughter, you HAVE to get them on your legs, but if you're SAMOAN and a TOP TEIR Samoan than you can.
Demons or ancestral spirit or idol spirit. There like millions of evil spirits seeds of the serpent. Only the Name Jesus Christ can destroy those evil. Philippians 2:9-11.
As a native Taiwanese. I have learned the connections between our ancestors and Maori. Recently I want to have a tattoo of a half sleeve that combines the meaning of family, anscestors eye of both countries. Is it acceptable or allowed? Or will i just look like a dick?
As a Maori, it'd be best to consult with a Ta Moko artist about this. I've never seen Maori designs mixed with those of another indigenous group. Only with other tribal groups since our tattoos typically describe the ancestry of our father and mother, and their ancestors before them. It also includes our connection to our rohe (tribal lands) as well with our ancestral mountain, rivers and waka (canoes).
