Our practices may change, but the values and foundations of the cultural traditions remain

Male and female Samoan tattooing has always signified one’s perseverance and ability to withstand the pain of undergoing the ritual, as well as signified one’s identity, readiness and capacity to be of service to one’s extended family. What will be explored is the way in which this ritual has been embodied as a demonstration of reclaiming values of traditional practices thereby minimizing absolute extinction. Ways in which the tattoo ritual has evolved and changed over time, will be explored using the cultural lens of the Fonofale and Teu le Va models. This paper highlights the proposed research interest in utilizing Pacific methodologies to plan and undertake study of questions posed for more detailed exploration