How the Samoan Tattoo Survived Colonialism. Several factors, from geography to group identity, helped this traditional body art endure—even as similar practices were lost in other cultures.

Soldier is first to get approval for traditional Samoan hand tattoos. Jonathan Lehrfeld, Jon Simkins. Mon, June 3, 2024 at 7:36 PM UTC. 5 min read.

An incomplete tattoo is a source of shame to the recipient and his extended family. When a Samoan boy decides to be tattooed (traditionally at the age of 12 or 13) his family gathers to meet.

After being fired for breaking Hawaiian Airlines' tattoo policy, Tracy Sialega-Fili, a Samoan-American customer care representative, is advocating for increased cultural understanding and ...

A Samoan Army Captain is the first soldier to receive approval to have traditional “tatau” or tattoos on her hands. This move not only honors Captain Isis Sake’s cultural heritage ...

Looney, who also owns the Pacific Soul Tattoo shop on Ward Avenue, helped to create the exhibit in his spare time. He said his shop is one of two on Oahu that does traditional Samoan tattooing.

Garden Grove's A-Town tattoo shop is one of the only places in the country to offer customers a proper Samoan tatau — a practice dating back generations.

Capt. Isis Sake, breaks ground as the first soldier of Samoan descent to gain permission to display traditional hand tattoos in religious uniform accommodation.

Army Capt. Isis Sake is the first soldier to receive a religious accommodation for traditional Samoan hand tattoos. (Jon Simkins/Staff) Small arrows, birds and stars adorn the tops of the soldier ...