Taema and Tilafaiga
Taema and Tilafaiga
One legend tells that Taema and Tilafaiga, twin sisters of Polynesian folklore (some say they were conjoined, my version has them as mermaids).
Taema and Tilafaiga are looked at as the Matriarchs of Samoan tatau, the sacred art of tattooing.
It is believed that the sisters brought the art of tattooing to Samoa from Fitiuta. (Ancient Fiji)
As they swam, the sisters sang a song that only women were to get the sacred tattoo, not men.
As they neared the village of Falealupo at the western end of the island of Savai’i in Samoa, they became hungry and dove underwater to get a clam.
During the dive, the sisters became overwhelmed by the pressure of the deep and became confused...
When they emerged, their song had changed.
Now their haunting melody said that only men were to get the sacred tattoo, and not women.
However, this is irrelevant, because in Samoa, we have traditional tattoos for both males and females.
It’s still a good Story... thank you for reading.
KTupua
April 2021