Polynesian tattoo ancient art / image galleries of Polynesian tattoo done in the ancient traditional way and with modern tattoo techniques.
Samoan society has long been defined by rank and title, with chiefs
(ali’i) and their assistants, known as talking chiefs (tulafale),
descending from notable families in the proper birth order. The
tattooing ceremonies for young chiefs, typically conducted at the onset
of puberty, were elaborate affairs and were a key part of their
ascendance to a leadership role. The permanent marks left by the tattoo
artists would forever celebrate their endurance and dedication to
cultural traditions. The pain was extreme and the risk of death by
infection was a great concern. But to shy away from tattooing was to
risk being labeled a pala’ai or coward and reviled by the clan. Those
who could not endure the pain and abandoned their tattooing were left
incomplete, wearing their mark of shame throughout their life.
In the earlr 1980’s, Tahiti began the resurgance which soon spread to the Marquesas and
all over. Samoa is one of the few places that never really quit
tattooing. It has several dichotomies in that it is very Christian, yet
still drink kava, have tattoos and so forth from their traditional
ways. They are still using mostly traditional styles, but as with most
places the Western world has had an influence on some. New Zealand is
another country that had a continuous tattooing trend, although it was
almost entirely western styles. Today it too is having a resurgance in
traditional ways. The maori people have full body tattoos, although not
in the way the movie Once Were Warriors potrayed them. Some women have
even began to get the chin and lip tattoos that their distant relatives
once wore so proudly. Easter Island or Rapa Nui has probably the
largest proportion of tattoos. 1 in 5 peope have tattoos and many are
of traditional patterns.
Here are images of more tribal tattoos some are done with modern tattoo techniques while others used the traditional method.
more polynesian tattoo work - modern and traditional tribal polynesian tatts
Usable Piercings - Some BodMod and piercing enthusiasts are trying to turn eyeglasses from geeky to trendy with their line of extreme pierced eyeglasses. No frames sitting on your nose here, nope, they are attached and pierced through the nose... Inventive for sure
yep, If this ain't redneck, don't know what is... the title is true, now this happened a few years back, but this is the first I heard of it and the story is crazy. Some woman actually got a tattoo from a man that came to her door selling tattoos... and, she got really sick from the nutty and stupid ordeal.
Tattoo Artists 
Apatani Tribal body modification. These people are known for the huge nose plugs worn by woman and the stripes along the forehead and chin.
yep, If this ain't redneck, don't know what is... the title is true, now this happened a few years back, but this is the first I heard of it and the story is crazy. Some woman actually got a tattoo from a man that came to her door selling tattoos... and, she got really sick from the nutty and stupid ordeal.