Always love learning new things about my culture, and one of those things is a certain tatau (tattoo) that has resurfaced through the tufuga (Master Tattooist) Liaifaiva and that is the Punialo as it pertains to females. What I mean by resurfaced, it’s the first time I’ve come across it🤘🏾
As per Liaifaiva post, the meaning is as follows:
‘Puni: to cover or protect; Alo: children/abdomen’
As someone who adorns the measina (treasure) or markings of our ancestors in the malu (protect/shelter) the punialo intrigues me. The placement, the meaning, the femininity of it all, hand on heart I think it’s beautiful.
Full disclosure, I’m no expert and still learning about it myself. Friends have sent me some imagery of historical prints and a wee bit of history on it, I cannot wait to delve into this part of our cultural art history more, especially as it pertains to Samoan women.
TAOFI MAU I AU MEASINA : HOLD FAST TO YOUR TREASURES
i am moana 
Very interesting and first I’ve heard of this for females, can’t wait to hear more about it
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