Princess Susi Etelagi

INK OF THE ISLANDS

 In the heart of the Pacific, where waves cradle secrets,

**Tatau** emerges—a sacred script etched upon skin,
A symphony of charcoal rivers, whispered stories,
**Samoan souls bloom**.
 
**Pe\'a**, the male canvas, bears courage\'s weight,
Thighs adorned with ancestral tales—
A map of strength, resilience, and honor.
Charcoal ink flows, tracing lineage,
Each stroke a testament to warriors past,
Their spirits dancing in the breeze.
 
And there, beneath the tropical sun,
**Malu** unfolds—a sacred shield for women,
Knees to thighs, sheltering grace.
In its intricate patterns, life\'s storms find refuge,
As if the very fabric of the universe weaves protection.
**Ready for life\'s tempests**, they stand,
Rooted in tradition, adorned with purpose.
 
**Ink and pain**, woven into existence,
Elders nod approval, their eyes reflecting wisdom.
The sting of the needle, a rite of passage,
A metamorphosis from youth to maturity.
These inked skins tell tales of resilience,
Of navigating tides and finding constellations,
Of embracing both shadow and light.
 
And when the village gathers, women dance—
Their legs adorned, a living canvas,
Patterns intertwining like laughter and song.
**Beauty etched in skin**, a celebration of identity,
A dance of belonging, of shared memories,
Of ancestors whispering through the ink.
 
**Ancient art**, spanning three millennia,
**Marked bodies**, honor\'s canvas,
Culture\'s heartbeat inked into existence.
In the land of waves, where coconut palms sway,
Tatau and Malu intertwine,
Their stories etched upon the flesh,
A living testament to resilience and pride.
 
So let the trade winds carry these words:
**Samoan tattoos**, more than mere ink,
They are the heartbeat of a people,
A legacy woven into the very fabric of time.