What is the meaning of the malu?
The word malu means protect, shelter, security. Malu also means house. The woman is therefore seen in Samoan culture as the protector and shelter of of the children, the family, and the village. She is the giver of bloodlines.
What is the tatau Samoa?
The tatau meaning “to mark” is a longstanding traditional Samoan practice. For men, it is the pe’a, dense tattooing which completely covers the lower body from waist to knee. The malu is the equivalent tattoo for women and covers the legs from the upper thigh to behind the knee, but is not as dense as the pe’a.
How many tattoos does malu have?
Malu Trevejo has at least 6 known tattoos: arabic, name on her upper shoulder. paw prints on her wrist. rose on her wrist.
Why do people get a malu?
Protection and Service: To some individuals, the malu represents protection and service. These individuals believe that the malu is only for Samoan women who understand, respect and value their Samoan culture and play a role of service in their extended family or village community.
How much does a malu cost?
The male tattoo, called pe’a, runs from the mid-back down past the knee. There’s a version for women called the malu, which goes from the upper thigh to below the knee. The man’s tattoo can cost up to $10,000 and takes up to 45 hours to complete. It’s a big no-no in the culture to not finish the tattoo.
What is a malu Samoan?
Malu is a word in the Samoan language for a female-specific tattoo of cultural significance. The malu covers the legs from just below the knee to the upper thighs just below the buttocks, and is typically finer and delicate in design compared to the Pe’a, the equivalent tattoo for males.
Why do Samoans tattoo their thighs?
The traditional female tattoo is the malu and means to be protected and sheltered. It’s applied from the knees up to the top of the thighs. Both male and female tattoos show that you are ready for life, for adulthood, and to be of service to their community.
How is a malu done?
It’s applied from the waist line, working down to knees. The traditional female tattoo is the malu and means to be protected and sheltered. It’s applied from the knees up to the top of the thighs. Both male and female tattoos show that you are ready for life, for adulthood, and to be of service to their community.
Who can get the malu tattoo?
From at least the 1990s, there has been less emphasis on chiefly qualifications, and women of a variety of backgrounds and ages have been tattooed with the malu. However, the malu is not important to all Samoans, or the only symbol of an individual’s commitment or participation in Samoan cultural life.
Why is the malu important?
In New Zealand and Australia, the malu is increasingly important as a symbol of Samoan cultural identity rather than only a signifier of a person’s ability to carry out specific Samoan ceremonial roles.
Who can get the Malu tattoo?
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