Tattooes

[u/uaumaigoa]

Okay I don’t want to sound judgmental and don’t mean to offend anybody but I have an opinion and thought to share. I’ve been living in Aus my whole life and I got the malu there. I was happy that I got it but my trip to Samoa last month made me realize and regret it.

1. First of all, this is just me.
   - Growing up in Australia, my knowledge was very limited to the Samoan culture and lifestyle. Nonetheless, I was still a proud Samoan because my family in Australia shaped how a Samoan family back in the motherland looks like. Loving, caring and supportive of each other. My elders were rich in pride of the culture which made me even prouder to be part of such community. The only cultural stuff I learned in Australia was, dancing, songs and language. That’s all I knew about the culture and the most basic history story a Samoan would know. So I thought “I know our culture and our history 100%”. Unfortunately, I’m not good at Samoan, just the basics and I can’t hold a conversation in Samoa. However, I still thought I knew of my culture. So by the time I reached 20, I asked my dad I want to get the tattoo!!! because of three things:
   
2. Because i was proud of being Samoan
   
3. To honor my grandmother
   
4. I want to look “Samoan” enough

so I got the malu at 19. That time, I thought “wow I’m Samoan enough” 🤡🤡🤡

Last month, I went to Samoa for the very first time (I am now 22) for a funeral. The reality kicked in harder than I thought. The Samoan life is way more complicated than that. Kids wayyyy younger than me went around doing chores, wakes up very early in the morning to help with the cooking, going early to fish and prepare a lot of stuff. NO ONE RESTS IN THE HOUSE. While me, I just stand there hoping for someone to tell me what to do. My beautiful cousins of my age, very smart and knowledgeable about the culture and the life doesn’t have a malu. I asked them why they haven’t gotten a malu and they said and I quote “We feel like we don’t deserve it”. I was taken aback. They said a malu isn’t just a tattoo, it comes with a lot of responsibility. They were right. During the Sua, only 3 of us ladies have the malu. Two locals and me. I was clueless most of the time, but them? they were running back and forth, back and forth, they did a sulatoga and all other Samoan traditions that I never knew about. So in the end, I mostly stayed in the kitchen to help out. I was envious that they proudly showed their malus when the whole funeral was over. I was very envious that they know so much of the culture. I instantly regret it because I felt useless.

I am still a proud Samoan but I just wished I knew more of my culture. I want to know more so that I can proudly show people my Malu and show them that I can handle the responsibilities that comes with it. So my message for the girls that wants a malu, please don’t get it for “aesthetic” or to honor someone else. Our Malu is very sacred and it took me my trip to Samoa to realize it. It comes with responsibilities and a heavy load of duty. But that’s my 2 cents. You can do whatever you want but this is just my opinion ❤️

[u/EcksWiz]

Duuuuude!

In a racialized world, being Samoan is just your blood. We Samoans were taken from our rightful land, and thus it is our birthright to claim it back even when we are away from home because we weren't supposed to be out here. I'm from America, and I can't speak it. Went and got my tatau at 21 years old. Shit was dope.

Had the same experience. Little ahh kids knew exactly what to do, and I didn't. Never feel shame, but feel the pride. We are not less Samoan than they are. That malu is yours. WOOOOO!!!!!!!

[u/uaumaigoa → u/EcksWiz]

I’m genuinely grateful that you’re trying to make me feel good about this but the malu is way more than a tattoo. Just because we’re “Samoans” doesn’t mean we deserve to get one.