Pe'a and Malu
The men folk receive a large tatau of heavy lines, arrows and other symbols based on their family dynamic and heritage. Known as the pe'a. This tattoo tends to go from the waist until it reaches the knees. At the end a pute is tataued around the belly button. The last symbol placed to mark the end of the tatauing and the end of childhood.
The women will receive a tattoo that is much less dense than the men folk. This is called the malu and means softness, or protected. This design also includes lines, crosses and arrows but is more spread out and is mainly over the knee. The size of the tattoo is smaller than men's and goes from the top of the thigh to the knee.
From thecoconut.tv, photographed by Li‘aifaiva Imo Levi @liaifaiva
To some, these symbols may mean resilience and strength. For each person to receive a tatau must understand that they've become an individual and part of the Samoan community as a whole. They now have a chance to be more than what they were by this painful and long process of becoming Soga'imiti.