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SamoaFan · Tattoo lover Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 19 Location: Paris

Okay, now I'll tell you everything you wanted to know about my tattoo in Samoa. That was quite an experience.

When I arrived in Apia, the capital of Samoa, I went to the tourist office and asked 'Who tattoos in Samoa with the traditional tools?' The lady said to me 'You should see Petelo Suluape in Faleasiu' and she gave me her cell phone number. I called him and I said I was curious to know more about Samoan tattoos. He said come tomorrow at 2 pm.
So I went to Faleasiu, he was waiting for me. We talked about tattooing in Samoa, he said his father was a tattooist and also his brother. But when I saw his tools brrrr I said to me you'll never be tattoed with these tools, they looked like torture tools (sorry Petelo) Confused

It's only after one hour that I asked What about having a thigh tattooed? How long would it last? How much does it cost? He explained how he works. He needs 2 assistants to strech the skin.
So he said come the day after tomorrow, I'll tattoo your thigh.

… So I went. But I was worried about his tools Razz

I explained what I wanted, he took his tools, it was time for me to lay down on the floor. Everybody was ready, so he started. BANG BANG BANG on my poor leg Confused

My first feeling: my goodness, he's cutting my leg in small pieces!!!! But the pain was not unbearable. I tried to forget about the pain. And always BANG BANG BANG on my thigh. And he hits very hard!
The first hour: pfff, a piece of cake!
The second hour: okay it hurts a bit but nothing terrible
The third hour: hmm it's a bit painful, if only he could finish soon
The fourth hour: my my my, what did I get myself into????
The fifth hour: now it's really painful, I must be crazy Confused

The last 30 minutes: atrocious pain!!!!

I couldn't stand the pain anymore (one session, only 2 very short breaks!!!), I said please stop, that's enough pain for one day Confused

I could hardly walk after this! The day after my thigh was swollen, it took 2 days until it was back to normal. After 2 more days, the tat had healed. Phew, that was quite an experience!

I'm already planning to go to Samoa in January 2008 for a pe'a, that is to say the second thigh, the buttocks (ayee!) and the hips (ouch!). It'll take about 12 sessions, in 2 weeks. I'll need WEEKS to recover from this Laughing

If you're interested, be warned: this technique is VERY PAINFUL! I can't stress that enough.

Feel free to ask questions. Any volunteers to go to Samoa with me for a tat with the traditional tools? Twisted Evil

chic · Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 9:20 am Post subject:

your on your own there mate...brrr i couldnt do that..
but welldone on doing it... and your going back!!!!!!

was the tools sterilised....
how much in english ounds did it cost and have you any pictures to put in the gallery....

SamoaFan · Tattoo lover Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 19 Location: Paris

It feels like your bones stop the tools Laughing

Normally after a full pe'a you need about ONE YEAR to recover. Brrrr Confused

If I need one year to recover I don't know what I'll do, I'll write to Petelo Suluape and ask him how long it'll take me until I am "up and running".

Yes the tools were sterilized and he wears gloves. He doesn't use the traditional ink anymore because it's not "clean" enough. Back in the old days a Samoan tat would take MONTHS to heal and you always had infections Confused

He chose Dynamic by the way.
I'll make a calculation and I'll tell you how much it cost me in £.

SamoaFan · Tattoo lover Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 19 Location: Paris

Look at my avatar, you'll get an idea of what Samoan tools look like. Petelo Suluape makes his own tools from boar tugs.

oh_bugger · Tattoo addict Joined: 13 Sep 2006 Posts: 518

[quote="SamoaFan"]
Feel free to ask questions. Any volunteers to go to Samoa with me for a tat with the traditional tools? Twisted Evil

[/quote]

Love to absolutely love to sadly time money etc may get in the way.

SamoaFan · Tattoo lover Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 19 Location: Paris

[quote="oh_bugger"][quote="SamoaFan"]
Feel free to ask questions. Any volunteers to go to Samoa with me for a tat with the traditional tools? Twisted Evil

[/quote]

Love to absolutely love to sadly time money etc may get in the way.[/quote]
If you live in New Zealand or Australia, going to Samoa isn't a very big deal. But if you live in Europe or even North America, well, you can expect a VERY LONG flight Confused

That said, accommodation in Samoa isn't very expensive.

vespaboy · Tattoo lover Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 41

what a fantastic experience!!! do they paint the design in like henna tattoos or is it freehand ??? Smile

SamoaFan · Tattoo lover Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 19 Location: Paris

[quote="vespaboy"]what a fantastic experience!!! do they paint the design in like henna tattoos or is it freehand ??? Smile

[/quote]

Freehand. No need to ask Petelo Suluape his book, there isn't any.

lekababe01

Getting tattoo by petelo suluape is a honor. The pain is worth it. I wanna go n get my malu tattoo (samoan female tat on my thigh done by him.
Does he live far from apia city? Is their a hotel close where he stays?

SamoaFan · Tattoo lover Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 19 Location: Paris

This is indeed an honor. He lives in Faleasiu, west of Apia. By taxi it takes about 20 minutes to get there.

Good luck for your malu Wink

lekababe01 · Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 7:43 pm Post subject:

Thanks. Im pretty excited to get it.
I guess its abit expensive takng a cab to his places if it takes 20mins?

pati · Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 8:37 pm Post subject: samoan experience

Hi there,
I would like the tradition samoa tatoo done in samoa this xmas, but I'm looking to contact petelo, do you have contact details for him, so I can arrange for my tats to be done. I have limited time to do my tats as parents are ageing, and would like to do them before their time comes.
really appreciate your help. Smile

pati

[
Feel free to ask questions. Any volunteers to go to Samoa with me for a tat with the traditional tools? Twisted Evil

[/quote]

I'd love to make the journey, as I have been looking for someone to do my tatoos with. but to no availavility, no-one wants to do it.
I having been pplanning for xmas this year but january sounds all good.
quering.

tatfaniman · Tattoo lover Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 1

does anyone know, where I can get a traditional samoan tattoo done the traditional way, in southern California? I am in the military and want one very badly, but cannot afford to fly to the islands to get one.

Jagg · Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 10:01 pm Post subject: Black Wave Studio is in Cali

The lead artist was trained by one of the Suluape's.

Su'a Suluape Petelo (and all those who have held the name) is not any one person - but a family with ties to traditional Samoan tatau which stretches decades of tradition.

One of them lives in Wellington - New Zealand. So you dont have to go to Samoa to get your pe'a done. Also at Black Wave studios, one of the artists has been adopted by the family and in turn also offers traditional tatau.

It doesnt really take a full year to recover from the pe'a and if you manage it without any problems it takes about 8 hours a day, 6-7 days a week to get it done fully ... the belly button is the killer!

Both my sisters (37yo and 17yo) have had their malus done in NZ as well

robertz · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 4:07 am Post subject:

i would love to experience a traditional tattoo done, hopefully when im a lil older, i mite do Very Happy

Bren · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:36 am Post subject:

Yes Samoan Tatau is still done in Wellington NZ. Contact Roger Ingerton, the Artist in Cuba St. He will give you contact details etc. Wink

sexy-rumble · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 1:17 am Post subject: RE:Samoan traditional Tatau

Hey guys,im new to all this but reading thru this and hearing bout your experiences..its quite exhilirating and reminds me of the time i got my traditional Malu done. Very Happy

Im a Samoan living in Syd,and i got my malu done at the beginning of the year(Feb) when i went back home for my annual holiday.I wasnt planning to get it done,but since my brother and cousin were getting their traditional pe'a done i thought id take this once in a lifetime opportunity coz for anyone with a malu or pe'a,its a priveledge when its done by someone with the experience as Suluape Petelo.
The tattoing took place at our home in Palisi and for nearly two weeks,he did work on my brother and his wife,my cousin,my sister and myself.
At the end of the two weeks,there was the traditional ceremony of exchanging fine mats etc...but it was my first experience of anything remotely close to a traditional ceremony.(having lived in OZ)
Getting a tattoo using the traditonal tools is not for the faint hearted..LOL..my malu took 4 hrs to do and by the end of it,i couldnt feel my legs when i went to get up...haha...but it was an AWESOME EXPERIENCE!!
Ive got loads of pics,but have to get the hang of this site before i can post any up,but if you wanna check them out,add me on bebo under sexy-rumble or Elsa.

yorvo · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 12:51 am Post subject:

I've wanted to do a pe'a since I read the Lyle Tuttle article in Modern Primitive magazine in the early 90's. He as a white person got one done in the traditional way. His buddy died. He swelled up and popped at the belly button. I think that's how it happened. It's been many years since I read it.

Anyway after years of wanting it, and knowing I'm in no position to go and get this done for real, I started one here in the states with a machine. It will take much longer I know. I'm going for a Samoan Tongan mix on mine with some of the younger guy's influence. You know with the gray shading in the patterns.

sexy-rumble · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 8:06 am Post subject: RE:Tatt Pics

For you guys out there wanting to experience the art of traditional Samoan tattoing,i have posted a few pics up in miscellaneous instead of into my album.So if someone can help me out by directing me how to move it from where it currently is and into my personal album,that would be great..lol...happy browsing. Very Happy

vixeousvixen67 · Tattoo lover Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 10

picture!?!

mommabird · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:07 am Post subject:

vixeousvixen67,
if you click where it says "Profile" at the bottom of his post, then once on that page click where it says "Personal Gallery of sexy-rumble" then you can see the pics.

lekababe01 · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 2:29 pm Post subject: Re: RE:Samoan traditional Tatau

HI, IM LORETTA ORGINALLY FROM WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND BUT LIVING IN SAN FRANCISCO, USA. IM PLANNG TO GO TO SAMOA TO GET MY MALU DONE BY PETELO SULUAPE, DID U GET UR'S DONE BY PETELO SULUAPE? MY BRO'S GOT A PE'A BACK IN 2000 BUT I WASNT READY TO GET MY MALU DONE AT DAT TIME, NOW IM READY N I WANNA GET IT DONE WIT DA TRADITIONAL TOOLS! SO IT ONLY TAKES 4HRS? DOES IT HURT WEN U WALK AFTER WEN ITS DONE? IM GOIN OVA BY MYSELF, IS IT GOOD TO GO ON UR OWN OR ITS BESTS TO HAVE SUM ONE TO HELP?

[quote="sexy-rumble"]Hey guys,im new to all this but reading thru this and hearing bout your experiences..its quite exhilirating and reminds me of the time i got my traditional Malu done. Very Happy

Im a Samoan living in Syd,and i got my malu done at the beginning of the year(Feb) when i went back home for my annual holiday.I wasnt planning to get it done,but since my brother and cousin were getting their traditional pe'a done i thought id take this once in a lifetime opportunity coz for anyone with a malu or pe'a,its a priveledge when its done by someone with the experience as Suluape Petelo.
The tattoing took place at our home in Palisi and for nearly two weeks,he did work on my brother and his wife,my cousin,my sister and myself.
At the end of the two weeks,there was the traditional ceremony of exchanging fine mats etc...but it was my first experience of anything remotely close to a traditional ceremony.(having lived in OZ)
Getting a tattoo using the traditonal tools is not for the faint hearted..LOL..my malu took 4 hrs to do and by the end of it,i couldnt feel my legs when i went to get up...haha...but it was an AWESOME EXPERIENCE!!
Ive got loads of pics,but have to get the hang of this site before i can post any up,but if you wanna check them out,add me on bebo under sexy-rumble or Elsa.[/quote]

pollywog · Tattoo lover Joined: 09 Nov 2008 Posts: 2

I got a necklace done by Petelo and would love to get something by his son, young Peter Very Happy

He does awesome contemporary/traditional stuff using the old tools.

Pitbull · Tattoo lover Joined: 30 Jul 2009 Posts: 1

Hi guys

I'm new here and i was excited when i saw this post ! I'm planning a trip to Samoa in December 2009, gonna stay there for 2 weeks and i would love to have a tattoo done in the traditional way (even though i know how much it hurts). My questions are:

1) Where can i find Peter? Website? Email? Phone? :p
2) I would like to hame my arm tattooed (half sleeve). How much will that cost approx. ?
3) Where do you suggest i search for accomodation? I know it's cheap but i have no clue as to where to look or where to go :p
4) i'm going alone so if anyone's interested let me know !!!

thanks !!

lekababe01 · Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:36 pm Post subject:

[quote="Bren"]Yes Samoan Tatau is still done in Wellington NZ. Contact Roger Ingerton, the Artist in Cuba St. He will give you contact details etc. Wink

[/quote]

Hey, does Roger uses the tradional tools? Does he do the MALU also? If so I wouldnt mind to go and get my malu done by him instead of going to the Islands?

Thanks
Loretta

winterwarrior74 · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 6:52 am Post subject: traditional tattoo interest

This is great that I found your post, I just became a member of this website so I can ask you a couple questions. I am from the United States but am going to school in Fiji right now. It has been a dream of mine since I was a kid to get a tattoo tapped in the traditional way, I am not Polynesian and I respect if its not cool to get a Polynesian tattoo but I still want to get a tattoo done the traditional way, with some traditional art style. I already have some of a half sleeve of NW Indian style art but I want to fill in the spaces and possibly go to the chest. Me and my friend were talking about going to Samoa and getting it done, so here are my questions:
How much might it cost? (in pounds or US? I don’t care)
-how could I contact this man?
-and do you have any advise for the process of getting it done or getting there?

I am 1000% committed to getting this tattoo; no way would I back out. Any answers or advice would be amazing.

Bekah Suluape · Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2010 7:10 pm Post subject: Re: traditional tattoo interest

[quote="winterwarrior74"]This is great that I found your post, I just became a member of this website so I can ask you a couple questions. I am from the United States but am going to school in Fiji right now. It has been a dream of mine since I was a kid to get a tattoo tapped in the traditional way, I am not Polynesian and I respect if its not cool to get a Polynesian tattoo but I still want to get a tattoo done the traditional way, with some traditional art style. I already have some of a half sleeve of NW Indian style art but I want to fill in the spaces and possibly go to the chest. Me and my friend were talking about going to Samoa and getting it done, so here are my questions:
How much might it cost? (in pounds or US? I don’t care)
-how could I contact this man?
-and do you have any advise for the process of getting it done or getting there?

I am 1000% committed to getting this tattoo; no way would I back out. Any answers or advice would be amazing.[/quote]

I have just joined the forum and I'm glad I did because I can help you get the information that you need. My dad is Suluape Petelo and I can see that some of these people have had their tattos done by him or my older brother Peter.
I have their phone number for you to contact them and my little brother Juniors number and email atour family tattoo shop in Apia. I think its better to talk to one of them so you will get the informations about the prices and also the advice that you need.

Suluape Petelo - 006857579060
Peter Suluape - 006857201104
Junior Suluape - 006857777152
email -

winterwarrior74 · Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 3:16 am Post subject: (Bekah Suluape) reply

thanks alot bro, I bought my ticket for september 12 and I get back on the 17. I will deffinitely hit call and email those contacts you gave me. Again, thank you so much.