I’m Morgan, and I’m a 30-year-old Samoan woman.

Fun fact: the English word “tattoo” actually comes from the Samoan word “tatau!”

It’s a tradition passed down for thousands of years surviving time, distance, and colonization.

APAHM 2024 badge

Each symbol and even its location holds meaning.

Additionally, receiving the tattoo generally means you accept and will adhere to cultural customs.

But I’m unfortunately not fluent in Samoan (though I’m trying to learn!).

Woman with long curly hair, tattooed arm, wearing a floral halter dress, smiles while standing by the ocean

And possibly due to my upbringing in the US, I have differing opinions on certain traditions.

So, I just don’t know if it would be fitting for me to get the malu.

And thats precisely the cultural context that non-Samoans are missing.

A person's back with traditional Polynesian tattoos is shown, accompanied by cloth with traditional patterns wrapped around the waist

Even celebrities have appropriated our tattoos.

But I think people forget the history that comes along with them.

Some knowledge was lost forever.

Individual with traditional tattoos stands with back to the camera, wearing a red cloth around the waist

Now that Polynesian tattoos are considered cool, everyone wants one?

I don’t think so.

Such a special memory that I cherish!

Close-up of a person's midsection with patterned leggings and a black waist pouch

Each of the symbols can hold multiple meanings.

My tattoo represents protection, direction, purpose, and staying grounded.

But our tattoos are just that: ours.

Four women in traditional Polynesian attire sitting on a rock with a tropical backdrop

It’s imperative they remain that way lest they lose their meaning altogether.

Woman in red performs traditional dance with others in background

Person with traditional tattoos raises arms under a Samoan flag

Jason Derulo shows his chest tattoos on a red carpet, saying, "I got some Samoan tattoos here."

Text in image discussing cultural appropriation of Polynesian tattoos, asking if it's appropriate for non-Hawaiian/Polynesian individuals to get such tattoos

Three arms with intricate tribal-style tattoos, one arm with fresh ink, the other healed

A person's raised hand displaying a detailed forearm tattoo against a backdrop of city buildings and palm trees

A woman with long, curly hair and tattoos on her arms is standing on a rocky beach by the ocean, wearing a floral-patterned dress

Illustration celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with diverse animated characters and "APAHM" letters prominently displayed