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TATAU
Art of Tattooing in The Cook Islands
The Polynesian tattoo is generally referred to in the Cook Islands as Tatau. Prior to the advent of the Christian Missionaries, records of travellers and explorers of the Pacific referred to the tatau as being prevalent amongst the natives of the Pacific Ocean, worn in a variety of ways, some which signified beautification and others a symbol of superior ranking. The Reverend John Williams on his visit to Aitutaki comments,
"Some were tattooed from head to foot"; and he says of the high chief Makea, whom he met on his discovery of Rarotonga in 1823…his body is most beautifully tattooed, and was slightly covered with a preparation of tumeric and ginger, which gave it a slight orange tinge, and in the estimations of the Rarotongans, added much to the beauty of his appearance."
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Tattooing was on most occasions administered by the Ta’unga (high priest) who would apply the designs that were requested or appropriate to the elected individual. The implements used was the tattooing comb made from the bone of a bird with a tapping instrument which was a short piece of wood, this was called the rakau patupatu, wood for tapping or beating. The pigment used throughout the islands was the soot extracted from the burning kernels of the candlenut (tuitui). This solution was called ngara’u.
One of the ulterior functions of tattooing in traditional times was that of communication, with various symbols representing certain meanings expressive of status, ranking and for some, achievements and identity. Many of the patterns were said to have derived from wood carvings, some say most commonly from the vaka (canoe) in which the individual travelled or descended from. The abandonment of tattooing was said to have been a result of the excessive pain and the passing away of tattooing artists. The influence of the Christian Missionaries was also a main contributing factor subsequently condemning the art as a ‘heathen practice’.
Today in the Cook Islands the Tatau is experiencing a revival as a younger generation seek to rekindle the symbols and meanings worn by their ancestors. It is no longer applied in the traditional manner proper but this recent renaissance demonstrates an acknowledgement and pride in a practice that is unique to the Polynesian people.
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article and images provided by:
Cook Islands National Museum of the Ministry of Cultural Development
Mahiriki Tangaroa
Museum Curator
see more about Mahiriki and other artists
in the Artist section!
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