Key Info

- Once conjoined twin goddesses who brought tatau art to Samoa.

Brief Bio

Taema and Tilafaiga are revered twin goddesses in Samoan mythology, known as the bringers of the tatau (tattooing) art from Fiji to Samoa. Originally conjoined twins, they were separated by a wave while swimming, later learning the art in Fiji and, after changing their song, introduced the tradition of tattooing men (pe'a) rather than women. 

The sisters brought the tools and techniques of tattooing to Samoa from Fiji.

While swimming from Fiji, they sang, "Tatau fafine, 'a e lē tatā tāne" (Tattoo women, but not men). After diving for a giant clam, they surfaced and reversed the chant to "Tatau tāne, 'a e lē tatā fafine" (Tattoo men, but not women), establishing the modern tradition of the pe'a (male tattoo).

Initially born attached back-to-back, they were separated in the ocean by a canoe spar or, in other versions, by a wave. Tilafaiga is often recognized as the mother of the powerful Samoan war goddess, Nafanua.