This document discusses Sonya Van Schaijik's Samoan malu or traditional tattoo. The summary is: 1. Sonya discusses her malu which took 36 hours over 6 days and features traditional Samoan motifs as well as representations of her sons and connections. 2. She was tattooed by Tui Fa'asisina Tulouena Sua, who holds the titles of Samoan Tattoo Master. 3. Sonya's malu was done with the blessing and support of her family and sisters who helped care for her during the tattooing process.

1. O lau malu
1
@vanschaijik
Name: Sonya Van Schaijik
School: Newmarket School
City: Auckland
Role: E-Learning Lead Teacher
ESOL Teacher
www.svanschaijik.com

2. E iloa le tagata lona tulaga i upu e
tautala ai
@vanschaijik
2
Selenia Matalaoa Fonoti Thompson - my grandmother
O le taimane o le matou aiga.
“You can tell a person by
their actions and words.”
I am the little branch on
her tree, whatever I do -
she will always know.
O au o se uputi o le laau o
le gafa o lou aiga

3. O au matua o mea sina mai le Atua
@vanschaijik
3
My parents
Mum is Samoan
Dad is Kiwi

4. O lou tina tausi
@vanschaijik
4
My Godmother
She got in right
behind me

5. Teu le gafa
@vanschaijik
5
Guardians of family history
Family Matai Fonoti Kaeoalii

6. O au mamanu
6
@vanschaijik
1. Fa’avaetuli- cheron motif derived from the footprint of the sand piper.
2. Fa’agogo- terns
3. Fa’a ‘aveau- Starfish motif
4. Aso moelua -double lines sleeping together
5. Fa’atalalaupaogo- pandanus leaf barbs
6. Fa’a anufe- worm
11. Fa’a fetu
Anthropologist Noel L McGrevy
(discussion)
McGrevy, Noel L. O Le Ta Tatau, Traditional Samoan Tattooing.
Unpublished manuscript. Auckland: Culture Consultants International, 1989

7. Le Mata o le Malu
7
@vanschaijik
7. Mata o le laumei- stylised turtle eyes represent both my sons
8. Fa’a au’upega- net motif - represent connections
9. Fa’a atualoa- centipede motif
10. Fa’a ulutao- spearheads

8. 8
Tufuga Ta Tatau
@vanschaijik
Tui Fa’asisina Tulouena Sua
-apprentice under both tattoo
masters and was awarded both
Samoan Tattoo Titles.

9. E le o se mea e tau faaalialia
@vanschaijik
9
Some people say the malu
is shown only when it
needs to be shown.
I say- Do you have a
malu?

10. Process of tatau
@vanschaijik 10
36 hours
6x days
6x hour per day

11. “A leai se gagana, ua leai se aganu’u.
A leai se aganu’u ona po lea o le nu’u.”
Aione Fanaafi Le Tagaloa
@vanschaijik
11
A normal malu takes 8
hours.
Malu valavala
Mine took 36 hours.
Malu gigi’i - detailing in the
patterns.

12. O lau Malu o Mea Sina mai
Samoa
@vanschaijik
12
with the blessing comes
responsibility

13. Uso ma aiga
@vanschaijik
13
My sisters and family
-support
-cooking for the team
and visitors
-looking out for me

14. Ta Tatau
@vanschaijik
14
Tools for the tatau and the
rhythm.

15. Le Pea ma le Malu
@vanschaijik
15

16. Samaga Pea
@vanschaijik
16
Celebrations
Connections to the past
paving the way to the future.

17. @vanschaijik
17
Taofi mau i au mea sina
subduerofconfusion.tumblr.com
Vaemasenuu Zita Martel
Samoa’s First female Fautasi skipper.

18. @vanschaijik
18
O lo’u malaga
Revisiting with
different eyes
Falealupo

19. Some useful links.
@vanschaijik
19
Sonya @vanschaijik
www.youtube.com/ulimasao08
www.teachmeetnz.wikispaces.com
www.slideshare.net/ulimasao
+SonyaVanSchaijik
www.instagram.com/vanschaijik
www.svanschaijik.blogspot.com