Apia, SAMOA — Over 40 tattoo artists from around the world were greeted with a traditional kava ceremony to mark the opening of the Tatau Festival Samoa hosted at Taumeasina Island Resort from November 21-23, 2019.

The International event also marked the official retirement of Samoa’s Master Tufuga Tā Tatau Su’a Sulu’ape Alaivaa Petelo after a celebrated 43 years of pioneering the art of traditional tattooing in Samoa and around the world.

The Su’a Suluape family also honored the 20 years since the passing of Master Tufuga, Su’a Sulu’ape Paulo II, who is being repatriated home after 20 years.

Samoa News will have more photos and infomation later this week.

Read more at Samoa Global News