In Samoa when Samoan women are tattooed with the Malu the Tufuga Tatatau, or Tattoo priests tattoos the pair of thighs AND the right hand (sometimes left but rarely both hands)
"What do you think the Samoan women hand tattoo is for?" Well...lol...Theres an ancient navigation skill where Pacific navigators use their hand and the markings on their fingers to measure distances and angles of star constellations as they rise and fall in the night sky. This is brilliant navigator Kala Tanaka of the Hokulea measuring where she needs to go using her hand. You mightve seen Moana do a weird version of it. Many Samoan hand tattoo have fish around the wrists and the stars and togitogi up the fingers. The thumb lays across the horizon while the fingers stand vertical as you align your markings with the stars. Every tattoo unique to that navigator's experience and knowledge. This would also tell you who the original navigators were. Pacific women. Its part of the Nafanua story we always overlook. She ruled all over Samoa and set up Tupa'i titles in villages on the complete opposite sides of Samoa. She didnt walk there you know. lol. She was an accomplished navigator. And who makes ie toga, Samoan sails? Exclusively women. Blessed week Samoa.
