The Samoan Tatau - Mr Tele'a Visit

In Extension we have been researching and learning about Symbolism. There are lots of ways to represent something that is special to you. One of the things that is common is a tattoo. People can get tattoos to represent something that is meaningful to them or sometimes just to look good.

One of the many tattoos that we have researched is the Samoan Tatau, also known as the Pe'a. A Pe'a is only ever seen on a man, where a Malu is seen on a woman. It starts from the waist and goes down to the knees. Our Extension group were very privileged because Mr Tele'a came in to show us his Pe'a so we could see what it looks like in real life. He gave us loads of information about himself getting the Pe'a and about the importance of the Pe'a.

We asked him lots of questions and we got lots of answers. When he got his Tatau, he got it done with his three brothers. In Samoan culture, it is important to have someone close to you, get the Pe'a at the same time so you are not alone, this person is called a So'a. Mr Tele'a got his tattoo done by Tuifa'asisina Su'a, a well-respected man in Samoa for his history of amazing tattoo art.

Before Mr Tele'a could get his tatau, he had to ask for permission from his parents. Mr Tele'a and Mrs Tele'a were pleased that their son wanted to get a tatau but reminded him that if he stopped before it was finished, it would bring lots of shame to their family but Mr Tele'a firmly agreed that he would last till the end.

Before Tuifa'asisina started the Pe'a on Mr Tele'a, he found out which village Mr Tele'a was from in Samoa and researched a bit about his family history. Not every Pe'a is the same, they all have different patterns on them representing the person wearing the Tatau. Although there are different parts, every Pe'a has a Va'a. The Va'a is the top of the Pe'a and it goes from one armpit all the way, around the back to the other armpit on the ribcage. It represents your aiga (In Samoan language, your family) and it is under the arm to show that the person who is wearing the tatau, has to look after and protect his family.

Another part in the Tatau which Mr Tele'a said is the most meaningful part is the belly button. He  said it is the most meaningful part because that was the final part in the process. It was a feeling of relief and happiness because after all the pain, it was finally finished.

Term 4 Extension Symbolism Movie

Term 4 2014 is ending soon which means Extension will be too. This terms theme for the whole school was Art Attack. We have been learning about a different kind of art. The tattoo. If you have been reading my blog this term, you will notice that a lot of my Extension posts have been on Symbolism. We learnt all about Samoan Tattoos and what all their symbols mean. One of our many tasks was to create two tattoos of our own. This movie shows and explains the two tattoos that I created and what they are all about. I hope you enjoy my movie and find out something about me!


Ana - EXT - Tattoo Design from Team 5 PES on Vimeo.

After this term and making this movie, I have learnt more about Samoa and its history of art. I probably won't get a tattoo myself but for me, it is great to know more about my culture. I think that if anyone wants to get a tattoo, it should mean something that is close and precious to you because a tattoo is a great way to represent your family culture or yourself. I am so happy that I finished this movie because it is the one task that I enjoyed because it was something that represented me. I also enjoyed it because it is probably my last movie task for 2014. 

Term 2 Malawi Advertisement

This is a movie that I was supposed to finish in Term 2. It has taken a while but here it is. It is an animation/voiceover explaining the Water Hoe. Back in Term 2 in Extension, we were learning about Malawi, Africa for the 40 Hour Famine. One of our activities was to take 2 different tools that they use in Malawi and put them together to make one handy tool. I chose the water bucket and the hoe from mortar and hoe. Watch the movie to find out what happens when you mix them together. :-)

Future Aspirations

This morning, the Y7 & 8s had the privilege of listening to three different speakers. All of the speakers talked about Future Aspirations. When the day began, I didn’t know that they were coming or why but afterwards, I was glad they came. Mr Burt introduced all the visitors before handing it over to Andrew Pattison who is a man who helps youth and young people along the way so that can achieve their dreams.

Mr Pattison started off by talking to us about a Yr 9 student at Manurewa College who gets paid for speaking in front of people. His name is Ivana and in 2013, he was one of the shiest boys in his class but now he talks in seminars in front of very important people. We got to watch one of his speeches and he talked about how in primary and intermediate, his report looked like, “Below standard, below standard, below standard, wait what, WELL below standard?”

The first speaker was Anthony Samuels, former presenter on kids TV Show What Now and father of four boys. He taught us a Maori saying, “To Miharo Hoki” which means, “You are Amazing” Mr Samuels taught us how to say, “You are Amazing” in sign language. Also, “Your past doesn’t have to determine your future” which means just because you do something bad one day, you don’t have to be bad the next.

The next speaker was Paula. he told us a story of when he nearly died while swimming in a race. He passed out from swallowing too much water and when he was conscious again, all the school was laughing at him. Paula didn’t go back to swimming till he was in high school because he was too embarrassed. He told us to always take risks at anything, even if we don’t think we are good at it, we should always try. Paula also told us about Lisa Carrington, a young New Zealander who got a Gold medal in the 2012 Olympics. She didn’t start canoeing till she was 17 years old, she didn’t know she wanted to be an Olympic Canoer, but look at her now.

Our last speaker was Amelia. She is a tongan student who is studying at AUT wanting to become a fashion designer and start her own label. In high school, everyone put her down because her brothers had been in gangs and had dropped out. Everyone thought that she was just like them but she wanted to prove that she is a different person, with her own life and she plans to do big things. She wanted us to remember, “Don’t let anyone push you back or stop you from doing something you want to do”

Maths Transitions

This is a Maths DLO showing the different transitions that we learnt about. They include rotate around the origin, where the shape moves around the square rotating as it goes. There is  reflect where the shape reflects like a mirror and last of all, the right, left transitions and the up, down transitions. It is made by my friends Hope, Annliz, Mele, Ane and me. I hope you enjoy it :-)

Term 1 Empathy Animation

This is my Empathy Animation from Term 1. I must have saved it in the wrong place so here it is. I hope you enjoy it:-)

Perspective Drawing

This is a picture that I drew on an IMac. It is a perspective drawing so it is supposed to be a picture from the perspective of someone standing at one end of a street. I hope you Enjoy :-)