Samoan tatau: When a sacred practice goes global, who is responsible for protecting it?

Tatau is one of Samoa’s most sacred cultural practices, a responsibility carried on the body through ink. The word tatau itself speaks to duty and connection. For men, the tattoo is called the pe’a; for women, it is the malu. Receiving one is shaped by culture, identity, and service, and all traditions are guided by an ancient Samoan legend. For generations, this knowledge was held by only two families entrusted with the tools, the ceremony, and the authority to tattoo. Today, tatau is more visible than ever across Samoa and our diaspora communities. With that visibility comes concerns — stories of poorly performed tattoos and urgent questions about how a sacred practice can be protected in a modern world. To understand what is at stake, we travelled to Faleasi‘u on the west coast of Upolu to speak with Su‘a Suluape Ala‘iva‘a Petelo Suluape, a retired master tattooist and elder from one of the families.  Listen to this episode of Culture Compass with host Afamasaga Seiuli Salamasina von Reiche on ABC Radio Australia.  Culture Compass was produced by Deadset Studios for ABC Radio Australia.