Tattoos were an important part of tribal cultures of
the Australian continent. The people of the Samoan Islands have long
covered their lower bodies with tattooing. For the Samoans, tattooing
held no cultural significance beyond fashion, but to not be tattooed
left you vulnerable to severe criticism from others. Having a tattoo was
a statement that an individual could bear pain. The average Samoan
design could take as long as six months to complete.
A special tattooing shed was built and was burned when the process was
completed. Samoan tattoo artists used special combs to apply the design.
They would dip the comb in ink and then tap the pointed teeth of the
comb along the skin, puncturing the surface and inserting the ink. Both
men and women had their lower bodies tattooed, although the patterns of
women tended to be daintier.
While the Samoans covered their lower bodies with tattoos, the Maori of
New Zealand covered their faces. This tattooing technique is called "moko"
and was unique to the Maori. Every man wore an individualized pattern,
as the design was based directly on his own particular face. The
tattooing artist would study the man's facial features and lines to
create a design that would accentuate them, making his appearance more
dignified and forceful.
The pattern was literally carved into the skin with a bone chisel much
the way designs are carved into wood. Ink would be placed in the cuts to
create the tattoo. The process could take days or weeks depending on the
individual's tolerance for pain. This procedure was incredibly painful,
and it caused a lot of swelling in the face. So much swelling occurred
that the man could not eat normally. Funnel-like feeding tubes were made
to allow the man to be nourished with liquid food. Maori women also
tattooed their faces, but it was limited to the lips and chin.
The history of tattoos in the country of Australia begins with the
arrival of convicts. In the early 1800's, Australia's convicts etched
soot and the black sediment from lamps into their skins, forever
recording their hopes, beliefs, disappointments and loves. At this time,
tattoos were a way for convicts to make human statements about
themselves. The positioning of a tattoo was a significant factor, with
the most personal messages reserved for parts of the body that were
usually covered up.
For some convicts, tattoos were purely decorative, while others
transcribed the date of their trial, transportation, or date when their
sentence was up on to their skins. There were family trees, slogans,
religious symbols, and many more. One of the most popular was the
anchor, which was a symbol of hope and constancy, and often attached to
a loved one's initials. Convicts also wore a large variety of decorative
tattoos including triumphal arches, marine trophies, monuments, lovers'
knots, crocodiles, and kangaroos.
Today, tattoos in Australia are worn simply for decoration or as a
personal statement. Tattoos can be found on all kinds of Australians and
in a variety of designs. However, temporary tattoos and body painting
are more popular since they are less painful and don't carry any health
risks as traditional tattoos do.
