What is malu in Samoan?
Malu is a word in the Samoan language for a female-specific tattoo of cultural significance. The malu covers the legs from just below the knee to the upper thighs just below the buttocks, and is typically finer and delicate in design compared to the Pe’a, the equivalent tattoo for males.
What does the malu represent?
The traditional female tattoo in Samoa is the malu. In Samoan society, the pe’a and the malu are viewed with cultural pride and identity as well as a hallmark of manhood and womanhood. Pe’a is the traditional tattoo design for men that spans from the waist to the knee.
What is the meaning of a Samoan tatau?
to mark
The tatau meaning “to mark” is a longstanding traditional Samoan practice. For men, it is the pe’a, dense tattooing which completely covers the lower body from waist to knee. The malu is the equivalent tattoo for women and covers the legs from the upper thigh to behind the knee, but is not as dense as the pe’a.
What does the tatau represent?
A tatau represents the recipient’s heritage, personal history, present, and future. Their tatau represents everything that makes them who they are as well as who they will be! It also represents their family and the community they belong to.
What is the origin of the malu?
Malu Origin and Meaning The name Malu is girl’s name of Hawaiian origin meaning “peace”. Malu is a charming Hawaiian name chosen by ex-Talking Head David Byrne for his daughter. Malu might also be an abbreviated form of Malou, which is an abbreviated form of Mary Louise.
What does malu tattoo say?
Her tattoo says: “I will not be / another flower / picked for my / beauty and left / to die. I will be / wild, difficult to find, / and impossible to forget.” It’s about wanting to be more than just a pretty face and wanting to have a real impact on people.
Why do Samoan girls get a malu?
Protection and Service: To some individuals, the malu represents protection and service. These individuals believe that the malu is only for Samoan women who understand, respect and value their Samoan culture and play a role of service in their extended family or village community.
Is it offensive to get a Samoan tattoo?
DO POLYNESIAN PEOPLE CONSIDER DISRESPECTFUL IF OTHERS GET A POLYNESIAN TATTOO? No, and yes. It depends on how you approach Polynesian art and, ultimately, culture. Plain copying someone else’s tattoo is always disrespectful, because you are stealing their own story.
How common is the name malu?
1 out of every 76,132 baby girls and 1 out of every 366,286 baby boys born in 2020 are named Malu.
What is malu in English?
malu (maru) – Meaning in English Difficulty: Interpreted your input “malu” as “மறு”.
Is it disrespectful to get a Samoan tattoo?