Arms and legs adorned with elaborate designs are on display and on show. Since the '80s, Polynesian tattoos have been rolled up their sleeves and displayed all over the world. The craze for this ancestral practice has crossed borders and seduced all social categories.
The first to export it were sailors calling at the Polynesian islands. Missionaries, who arrived after James Cook in the late 18th century, disapproved of the practice as pagan, and imposed bans in several regions. Marginalized, the practice declined sharply in the 19th century, although discreet forms persisted in some communities. It wasn't until the 20th century, with the rediscovery of explorers' sketches and accounts, that interest in the art was revived. At the same time, the booming tattoo industry in Europe and the United States found a new source of inspiration in exotic motifs, particularly Marquesan.
Polynesian tattooing brings legend and style to a practice once associated with outsiders. Its geometric motifs, evoking birds, fish or sea creatures, symbolize the link between Man and Nature. In Polynesian culture, tattoos tell a story, complementing legends handed down orally. Each unique design traces the links of filiation, clan affiliation, social rank or exploits, whether in war or fishing. High-ranking men often wear the most elaborate tattoos, while women sport more discreet designs, usually on the hands, feet or legs. The first tattoo, done in adolescence, marks the passage to adulthood. This rite, reserved for the initiated, is painful and testifies to the tattooed person's courage. Traditional tools - animal teeth or bones, sharp thorns - are used to insert an ink made from charcoal diluted in coconut oil. The future tattooed person is firmly held, chanting accompanies the ritual, evil spirits are warded off, blood flows, identity is inscribed in the skin.
Since the 1980s, Polynesian tattooing has undergone a revival, supported by modern hygiene standards that provide a framework for the practice. Far from being forbidden, tattooing is flourishing as an affirmation of Polynesian cultural identity in the face of colonial heritage. Tattooing became a means of asserting individuality while celebrating one's roots. Dedicated festivals, held regularly in Polynesia, bring together tattoo artists, tattooed people and visitors to honor this ancestral art.
You might be tempted to adopt the tatau, inscribed in the skin, and follow the example of the gods Mata Arahu and Tu Ra'i Po by getting a tattoo during your stay in Polynesia. Tattoo artists are in great demand and require advance booking. It's best to get your tattoo done at the end of your stay, so you can enjoy a refreshing dip in the sea. Take good care of your tattoo: it's a piece of Polynesian soul anchored in your skin forever.
