A traditional Samoan tatau (tattoo) ceremony will be just one of the many highlights of Unitec’s inaugural Tatau Symposium to be held at its Mt Albert, Auckland campus on April 18 and 19.
A traditional Samoan tatau (tattoo) ceremony will be just one of the many highlights of Unitec’s inaugural Tatau Symposium to be held at its Mt Albert, Auckland campus on April 18 and 19.
The ‘Sacred Mark’ symposium aims to raise the academic profile of Maori and Pasifika peoples within Unitec and enhance the importance of cultural diversity.
Well known tatau artist Su’a Petelo Suluape will complete both a pe’a and a malu where he will make the first marking of the pe’a at a special gathering at Unitec’s fale Samoa on March 26, culminating with a traditional tatau ceremony on the final day of the symposium.
Symposium spokesperson Falaniko Tominiko says visitors will be able to witness a master tattooist at work and have access to a wide scope of lectures explaining the different elements of a tatau such as its cultural importance, psychology and identity and personal journeys.
Tominiko says tattooing has a huge following, particularly amongst young Pasifika men and women, and hopes the tatau symposium will help educate and celebrate the cultural aspects involved.
“We’ve been in consultation on the project with cultural advisors, as well as the tufuga (tattooist), so we’re aware of certain cultural protocols and taboos,” says Tominiko. “We’ve made sure that everything conducted and included in this project is strictly in adherence to cultural protocols, and is in no way breaking any cultural taboos.”
He says the public will be informed of any protocols and taboos, ensuring not only their safety, but also the safety of the tattooist and the persons being tattooed.
But the tatau is only one part of the symposium.
Other features of Sacred Mark include an array of Pasifika guest speakers including, Professor Asofou So’o from the University of Samoa, Unitec’s writer in residence, Albert Refiti, Samoan photographer Greg Semu and Dr (Professor) Ngahuia Te Awekotuku from the University of Waikato who has an extensive background in Tamoko (Maori tattoo).
Semu, a Unitec graduate, will make a special trip back to New Zealand from his base in Paris where he is currently in residence at the Muse’e du quai Branly art gallery.
Refiti has made a name for himself in the world of architecture and is currently a lecturer at the Auckland University of Technology. He has written several pieces on indigenous knowledge and identity formation in architecture and is currently working on research into Pasifika concepts in digital/virtual design.
Sacred Marks is a joint venture between the Unitec schools of Design, Architecture and Landscape Architecture, and the Centre for Pacific Development.
Due to limited seating, first preference to listening to the guest speakers on April 18 & 19 will be given to Unitec students and staff, before being open to the public.
The public will, however, be able to witness the tatau during the first marking on March 26 as well as the ceremony to be held on April 19.
Source: Unitec
