The Mark of Excellence
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The Polynesian islands (which include Cook Island, Samoa, Tahiti, and Hawaii) are a favorite tourist destination among Americans and people from around the world. With its pristine beaches and rich tropical culture it is really a place worth visiting. Polynesians have a rich background in the arts. They are known for intricate carvings, embroidery, and other crafts. Among these artform is the Polynesian way of tattooing.
The widely popular style of “Tribal” tattooing could trace its roots in the Pacific Rim and Southeast Asia. The Polynesians refer to tattoo as “tatao” which has a literal meaning “to tap”. Tahitians use the word “tatu” which means “to mark something”. The word “tattoo” was said to be coined by Captain Cook when he explored the pacific islands in the 1700’s.
Polynesian culture did not have a robust system of writing so they used this art of tattooing to make their identity and personality known. Tattoos also indicate a person’s rank, marital status, and ones status in the society. As this is the case almost everyone in ancient Polynesia had a tattoo. Even girls have tattoo on them, usually given when they reach the age of twelve. Traditional tattooing tools came from tortoise shell. They are fashioned like comb with needles carved from it and attached to a wooden handle. The pigment was made from soot of burnt candlenut mixed with oil or water. The needle point is then dipped in the pigment and placed on the skin. A wooden stick will be used to tap the needles wooden handle thus causing the comb to pierce the skin inserting the pigment.
But when the missionaries arrived in 1797 the practice of tattooing was totally banned in the islands as they contradict the teachings of the Bible. In the 80’s renewed interest in Polynesian tattoo grew. Many Polynesians have slowly learned and revived the lost art of tattooing. Though tattooing using traditional methods have been banned in French Polynesia in 1986 because of the difficulty in sterilizing the wooden and bone equipment.
Polynesian tattoo has two different types. The first type is the Enata. Enata designs are usually of natural origins. It might symbolize a person’s life, origin, occupation, social level type, etc. If for example a person is a fisherman he could have a tattoo that will protect him from the dangers of the sea or the elements.
The other type is the Etua. This type of tattoo usually has strong magical, spiritual, and religious meanings. These symbols usually shows honor to a particular person or group of people with a tribe. It is also believed that these tattoos could give its bearer protection from the gods.
Today Polynesian tattoo holds little meaning as it is just based on the design a person wants. Usually popular designs are the tiki (god like figure), the turtle, the ray, the dolphin, the shark, and many other abstract designs. You don’t need to pass such rituals nor go to a shaman to get these tattoos. Just go to any decent tattoo artist and show him the design you want and presto you have a mark that is truly extraordinary.
Island Weaver
Cook Island is composed of 15 tiny islands in the south pacific. It is a self governed parliamentary in association with New Zealand. The island is thriving with Polynesian culture, one of which is the art of making Tivaevae (quilts)
Tivaevae literally means to sew or to stitch. This was introduced in the 19th century by the wives of missionaries from England, which also taught them embroidery, sewing, and crochets. Although its origin was European in nature the local women applied their own techniques in coming out with such stunningly beautiful designs. This needlework is painstakingly handmade, and usually, was used as bed covers. The Tivaevae could be sewn by a single woman but more often it is made by group of women called vainetini. This time of sewing and stitching together formed the bonding that is integral to Cook Island women culture. The event became a communal activity which had a big impact on the women the practices it.
The artwork and patterns the Tivaevae reflects, are oftentimes inspired by the women’s surrounding. The designs employed are usually that of birds, flowers, fish, insects, and animals. Through the years it became a recognized art form. It also provided the women with a channel to focus and hone their creativity
There are three kinds of techniques or styles in making Tivaevae. Tivaevae taorei is the most expensive and precious kind. This also is the most colorful and intricately designed quilt. It is composed of 15,000 to 20,000 fabric squares which measures no bigger than 1.5 inches. The Tivaevae manu usually consists of 2 fabrics of different contrasting colors. The top layer is cut into a snowflake like fashion and folded in four or eight. It is then hand stitched into the background fabric. The third style is the Tivaevae tataura. This incorporates both appliqué and hand embroidery techniques. This is very time consuming because of the complexity of the designs. Floral designs are made with the most elaborate stitches before attaching it to the background. Due to its complexity, it is first cut out by a taunga (expert) and later own sewn up by a group of women to speed up the process.
The Tivaevae is given only on very special occasions, or to important visitors or guest. Oftentimes they are given as birthday and wedding gifts, during funerals (to cover the body of a loved one), and during boys’ hair cutting ceremony. Traditionally no monetary value is associated with Tivaevae because natives consider it as a gift of love, something coming “from the heart”. Perhaps it is reflective of the hard work and patience that was put into making this stunning piece of art. Some pieces are not given away though, as this would become a family heirloom which will be passed on to future generations.
Today Tivaevae is widely displayed in Cook Island and New Zealand. They are oftentimes put up for sale at art studios and exhibitions. Making them is still practiced and new generations of weavers are trained. Truly this one of a kind craft weaved the tradition of the past with that of the present.
