Tattooing

In Moorea, as throughout the fenua, tattooing is a living art. Each pattern has its own meaning: it evokes family, nature, values, and stages of life. In their workshops, tattoo artists draw by hand, carve the skin with respect, and pass on a centuries-old heritage. Their knowledge is nourished by Marquesan, Tahitian, and Samoan designs, but also by influences from elsewhere. Some work with machines, others by hand, according to the tradition of tatau. All share the same concern for precise movements and accurate designs. Today, Polynesian tattooing continues to evolve without losing its soul: it connects the past and the present, roots and creation.