February 2, 2024 – Photo of the Day – Apia, Samoa

Where in the World Are We?

In Apia, Samoa in the South Pacific Ocean

APIA, SAMOA ISLANDS
THIS CHARMING COLONIAL-STYLE TOWN IS A HUB OF BUSINESS AND SHOPPING
The art of Samoan tattooing – Samoa is a fascinating cultural exception. They are the only territory where the tradition
of tattooing has never been interrupted under the pressure of missionaries. The tufuga ta tatau (tattoo artists) are
therefore still descended from families of tattoo artists who have handed down their techniques from generation to
generation since time immemorial.
In Samoa, tattoos marked the passage to adulthood and were necessary for marriage, among other things. A long and
painful process, the pe’a (male tattoo) and malu (female tattoo) proved, and still show today, the strength and
courage of those who wear them and mark their allegiance to the group of chiefs and their respect for their authority
and Samoan traditions. Lasting up to several weeks, the men’s tattoos cover the body from torso to knees in intricate
and complex designs.
A real Samoan tattoo is accompanied by binding rituals that are still widely carried out today. For example, for the
duration of the creation process, which can take several weeks for a man, the tattooist must stop cutting his hair,
shaving his beard, and having sexual intercourse. He must also eat his meals separately and be accompanied wherever
he goes, day or night. For women, as the tattoo only covers the upper part of the leg, a tattoo only lasts a day or two but
involves the same rituals and the same extreme pain.
Men with a completed pe’a are soga’imiti. Those who didn’t go all the way, because of the pain or the price, are called
pe’a mutu – a disgrace – while those who didn’t get tattooed are called telefua or telenoa, which means “naked” in
Samoan.

Today’s Excursions to the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum and the Bahi’a Temple

The museum is the former home of the author which has been perfectly restored to its glorious day with some of the author’s work and family memorabilia.
Robert Louis Stevenson is famous for his many writings including Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and the Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Originally from Scotland, he was known to the Samoans as the man with great ‘manas’.

Due to his many positive interactions with the local community, he became very popular and also a well-respected figure to the locals who knew him. He passed away on December 3, 1894, at the age of 44. His colleagues and people who worked for him buried him on top of Mount Vaea (within Vailima) at a spot overlooking the sea.

The Bahi’a temple was designed by Iranian-Canadian architect Hossein Amanat. As is required according to Baha’i scripture, the temple has a nine-sided circular shape. Like other Baha’i houses of worship around the world, the Samoan temple honors local cultural and environmental elements. The temple sits among 20 acres of prayer gardens comprised of over 60 species of plants, flowers, and trees, all native to Samoa. The dome of the temple itself is reminiscent of traditional Samoan architecture, the Samoan fale.