Tattoo Tutorial: Micronesian & Guam Tattoos 

My great great grandmother was the last person to have traditional tattoos from my clan in Palau. She was still alive when I was born and from what I understand she lived to be over 100 years old. I was too young to remember her when she passed but she was well loved and my family members would often talk about her. From what was shared with me the tattoos were not a choice, it was mandatory. Each tattoo had a purpose to represent to others who you were, what clan you came from, what milestones, and accomplishments you had and such. None were ornamental. Sometimes they had to be held down during the tapping because the pain was so immense. When I see pictures of her I can’t help but not only admire the beauty of the tattoos but the strength and bravery it took to get each one and their significance.

I have ainu and micronesian roots, I have been trying to bring back traditional tattoos along with Okinawa ones as well. Love this video!

Thanks! Would you be able to do more videos on Micronesian tattoo symbols? There is very little information out there!!

Just found this channel randomly. Just wanted to say keep up the work broddas 🤙🏻🇬🇺

What is the proper micronesian tatt that i can get as a chamorro? I dknt want what every chamorro gets and go wit the normal pily tri al tatts...

I’m from Micronesia, and a lot of the older outrigger paddlers in my team have this dolphin tattoo, The dolphin tattoo symbolizes navigators. The only people you see with this dolphin tattoo have earned the right to wear the tattoo by traveling island to island in a traditional sailing canoe with a Master Navigator. A Master Navigator from the island of Yap was the man that was responsible for teaching and bring back the traditional ways of navigating in the Pacific using the stars and ocean. From the tip of the pacific to the bottom. It’s an amazing story.

I’m from Yap and I was told that was not a dolphin. The fish is what we call a Buy pronounced “Booy” and idk what other folks call it but it’s skinny and long kinda like a barracuda

Awesome video !

And for Hawaii lol don’t get me started

Dolphins In Polynesian represent haloa “ divine breath of life, the Whale are the record keeps of your contract that was written in the stars to your life life here on earth. I am studying my culture and came across a book “ Bowl of light” ancestral wisdom from a Hawaiian shaman. I am referencing that book. But I wonder if it’s the same since they migrated from the western oceanic. We are from pollap.

True

Don't forget chelu the latte stone is the first earthquake proof home, tasa and the haligi are two separate pieces the top of the haligi has a ball joint. Don't forget Aliman took over after spain. Sold us to the Japanese freed by the USA.

The back tattoo is reserved for chiefs only. They are too be earned. I saw one white guy with them years ago and I lost my shit

The dolphins is yaps own and no body else..just to clear

yall dont get to claim these tattoos. They're not yours

Micronesia is a huge region encompassing many islands. The 3 dolphins tattoo and whale tale are YAPESE traditional motifs & tattoos: both have significant meaning to our Yapese people. Of course, like the Polynesian tribal designs, anyone and everyone can now tattoo said designs and call it "Micronesian or Guams" 🙄

🧡💛

Why you trying to claim some of the designs as Guams own ?? LOL

Those dolphins been tattooed to yapese way before the Spaniards..the Portuguese and the English start exploring the Pacific islands..keep your your comments to yourself. Don't need to start anything 😡😡

In your video showing a white man leg..so disrespectful..that's yaps tattoo and only yapese can have those and u have to work hard to earn it..that is tribal

You too much talk.

Why make a video and giggle about other people’s culture. damn with all the topics in the world and different islands out there y’all just have to include us in your nonsense. Worry about you guy’s roots and culture and how it’s getting more modernized and dominated from all angle as time passes. Damn keep us out of your mouth brah! Smfh