Marks of Mana

Marks of Mana is the first film about Pacific female indigenous tattoo. This excerpt follows Samoan tatau artist Tyla Vaeau Ta’ufo’ou of Karanga Ink, an indigenous tattoo studio on K’ Road, owned and operated by indigenous women. Finding her place as a woman in this art form, Tyla returns to Samoa to learn and reconnect. She shares some common tatau marks and their meanings, and introduces tufuga tātatau (master of tatau) Su’a Suluape Petelo. Directed by Lisa Taouma, the hour-long documentary was named Best Pasifika Programme at the NZTV Awards, and Best Long Form Doco at Canadian fest imagineNATIVE.

I was always really conscious of stepping into that space that maybe wasn’t allowed for me, or that I shouldn’t be in because I am a woman...

– Samoan tatau artist Tyla Vaeau Ta’ufo’ou

Key Cast & Crew

Kay Ellmers

Executive Producer

Wilhelm Voigt

Sound

Linda Lepou

Art Design

Natasha Panui-Morris

Production Manager

Lisa Taouma

Director, Producer

Cheyenne Maiava

As: Goddess