TATTOOS..In The Samoan Culture and Its Huge Impact and Influence In Today’s Youth and Sports Society

Im originally from American Samoa in the South Pacific Islands group and when growing up as a young man in the Samoan Islands, I was taught and inspired by our elders to revere tattoos, or in Samoan, pea as not only a symbol of manhood and a sign of bravery in our culture but a time of preparing untitled (taulealea) young men to become warriors and servants to do bidding for the village high chiefs. From the age of 17 and up if you dont have a culture tattoo, or tatau in Samoan (the tattoo that wraps around your entire mid-section and lower body, including your upper legs to your knees), you were strictly excluded from culture activities during village chiefs council ceremonies and meetings.

Generally, if you have a tatau you would normally looked up to and respected by the elders of the village and the general public, and in a social and lighter note, get all the nice looking village ladies in the process!

Before the missionaries came to the Islands in the late 1700s, the Samoans were often involved in tribal wars with other island countries, and wearing a tatau (wrap-around tattoo) was one of the symbols of intimidation to the opposing tribes. Modern times in Samoa there are no longer tribal wars, but people with tataus normally are revered and often involved in culture ceremonial activities. And on an economical note, a young man with a nice tatau wouldnt mind taking a picture with a camera-ready curious tourist to the island for a few bucks.

Although the tatau tattoos are still practice and active in the Samoan culture and customs, todays Islanders that have migrated to the U.S. and other parts of the world are more into the social type of tattoos such as; the tribal-shoulder-sleeve tattoos (similar to the one Dwayne Johnson, the Rock has), ankles & wrists tattoos (mostly worn by women and young girls) and tribal arm-band tattoos (worn by young men, commonly seen on NFL and NBA players).

Because of the risks involved in the culture tatau tattoos from infections and sometimes death, the Samoans and other Islanders, especially the youths are exploiting more of the social tribal-tattoos as listed above in todays society.

In todays sports society, wearing a tattoo is becoming a general focus of attention not only by the youths, but also the grown-ups. All across the Sports Industry in the U.S. such as the NBA, NFL, Professional Wrestling; these professional athletes adorned their bodies with tattoos as a symbol of pride and a reflection of their personalities. And depend on your personal perspective whether its an eye-sore or to be admired, but one thing for sure that tattoos will become a main and permanent part of our modern culture; and in some circles its considered stylish to adorn your full-body with tattoos, or as they call it body-art.

Today, tattoos are also crossing the gender barrier that in years back were tabooed for a female to wear, and looked at as been un-feminine. In todays fast changing and revolving

Society, its a norm to accept tattoos on both genders and on a good cross spectrum of the general public.

Even Hollywood is getting in on the act with movie screens filled with movie stars laced with tattoos (real or painted) on their bodies; also Cable networks with their weekly tattoos shows with a huge following.

On the flip side, there are negative consequences of having visible tattoos on your body. A close example was my 22-years old son Eriks large tribal shoulder-sleeve tattoo that goes down to his right elbow. When he went and applied to join the U.S. Air Force Reserve which he passed in flying colors, but when the recruiting officer saw part of his shoulder sleeve tattoo protruding out of his short-sleeve shirt, he turned down my sons application because the U.S. Air Force wont allow tattoos, especially when its visible while wearing a military uniform.

Also, having visible tattoos on your body might be a deterrent for prospective employers to hire you, even if you have good credentials to work. It might be a myth, but in general when you have visible tattoos on your body, people tend to relate you as been an ex-convict or a shady character, even if youve never been in prison and committed a crime in your life.

We may not fully know and understand the reasons why people have fascinations with tattoos in todays culture, but the reality is tattoos will be here, or visible for the next generations in the U.S. and possibly the world-wide viewers through the internet that are influenced by the American sports culture.