The Art of Tattooing: A Sacred Tradition in Bora Bora

The shark tooth motif appears on arms, shoulders, and calves across Bora Bora. It signifies guidance, power, and adaptability. But the visible design is only the final layer of a practice that, in ancient Polynesia, was a sacred ceremony linked to key moments in a person’s life, including coming of age. The history of Polynesian tattooing in Bora Bora reveals a tradition where the placement of tattoos on the body related directly to one’s genealogy, position in society, and achievements. This article covers the origins, cultural significance, and practical considerations for visitors interested in the art, grounded in the research available on the subject.

The word tattoo itself comes from the Tahitian word ‘tatau’. The onomatopoeic name describes the sound of the traditional tool — a small bone comb tapped repeatedly to pierce the skin. Tattoos were considered a gift from the gods that bestowed supernatural power on the wearer. Understanding this context is essential before considering a tattoo in Bora Bora, because the modern tourist experience is built on a foundation that was nearly erased by colonial suppression.

Understanding Polynesian Tatau

Polynesian tatau began around 3,000 years ago. The Polynesian Triangle includes more than a thousand individual islands, forming several dozen cultural groups, most of which have their own distinct tattoo traditions. The designs of Marquesan tattoos, for example, are particularly complex and detailed, while in the Society Islands the face was never tattooed. In Bora Bora, tattoo artist James Samuela — whose parents hailed from French Polynesia — notes that depending on the archipelago, tatau was practiced differently and symbols had different meanings. People living on an island with mountains versus an atoll with only coconut trees used different earth symbols based on their own experience.

In pre-European society, tattooing played a fundamental role as a social marker. Certain designs were conceived to protect the wearer and preserve his Mana — a spiritual life force. Tattoos represented prestige and the divine spirit that guaranteed good health, well-being, and fertility. The process was not quick. Depending on the complexity and volume of the designs, tattooing could take several days, weeks, months, or even years. The pain was considerable, particularly around the navel, which was described as more difficult to endure than other areas.

The arrival of European explorers and missionaries changed everything.

Colonial Suppression and Survival

Captain Edwards arrived in Bora Bora in 1791 aboard the Pandora in search of the mutineers of the Bounty. He found certain men had private areas tattooed, a practice linked to fertility rites and not reported elsewhere in the islands. The number of men with such tattoos related to tattooing being relatively expensive and reserved for families of chiefs and other community leaders. For those being tattooed, it marked endurance and dedication to cultural traditions. The risk of death by infection was ever-present. To back down was to risk being labeled a coward. An incomplete tattoo was a mark of shame for the bearer and his family throughout their lives.

Missionaries later banned tattooing and enforced the ban through extreme acts. They forcibly tattooed marks on the hands and faces of men and women who continued ancestral customs to indicate the bearer was a criminal. As Oahu-based tattooist Tricia Allen, author of The Polynesian Tattoo Today, puts it, tattooing was often done in defiance of colonial powers, so it was one of the first things white men tried to suppress. Despite this, the tradition survived. Courts have been known to rely upon the tattoos of certain people to establish family links and determine rights to lands.

The traditional tools were a small bone comb, a piece of tortoise shell, and a fishbone. The ink was produced from charcoal made from the ti’a’iri, or candlenut tree, diluted in oil or water. The teeth of the comb were dipped in the ink, placed on the skin, and tapped repeatedly to pierce the skin and let the ink penetrate. Today, most artists use modern machines, but the cultural protocols remain.

Modern Practice and Visitor Considerations

In Bora Bora, there are a number of accomplished tattooers. Many Polynesian artists sketch the design directly on the body with a pen instead of first drawing a tattoo stencil on paper. There remain designs that are traditionally guarded for appropriate use — tapu, or forbidden, for others. Marquesan tattoo artist Eddy Tata, who practices his work aboard the Aranui 5, states clearly: if a client shows a picture wanting that exact design, he won’t copy it. Replicating something that’s personalised is a form of appropriation — like stealing someone else’s story.

For visitors, this means the process should be collaborative. Tahiarii Yoram Pariente, a Polynesian cultural advisor and conservator based on Raʻiātea, describes his own approach: every tattoo he has took three years — from the time he started thinking about it, to finding the right artist, to talking with that artist about the symbolism. Tricia Allen points out a key difference: within traditional cultures, a tattoo was a mark of conformity to one’s cultural norms, whereas in Western culture, a tattoo generally marks individuality. Understanding this distinction matters when choosing a design.

The legacy of Polynesian tatau is not static. In 2021, a Māori journalist became the first person with traditional face markings to host a primetime news program on New Zealand television, signalling a broader cultural reclamation. For travellers, the question is not whether to get a tattoo, but whether they are prepared to engage with the tradition on its own terms.

Practical Planning for a Tattoo in Bora Bora

If you decide to pursue a tattoo in Bora Bora, research is essential. Not all studios operate with the same respect for tradition. Seek out artists who can explain the symbolism of their designs and who refuse to copy existing work from photographs. Expect a consultation process that may take a full day or more. The cost will be higher than a comparable tattoo elsewhere — reflecting both the location and the cultural knowledge required.

Healing in a tropical climate requires attention. Saltwater, sun exposure, and sand all complicate aftercare. Most artists will provide specific instructions, but plan for at least two weeks of limited swimming and no direct sun on the tattooed area. Consider timing your appointment at the beginning of your trip so healing can progress before you fly home — though you will need to keep the area clean and moisturised during travel.

Eddy Tata’s invitation to visitors is generous but carries responsibility: “Don’t be afraid of tattoos. I think it’s an honor to share my culture with others, and it’s in a way that carries my culture throughout the world.” The key word is “share” — not sell, not replicate. A tattoo from Bora Bora should carry meaning, not just location.

Visitor Questions About Tattoos in Bora Bora

Is it culturally appropriate for a tourist to get a Polynesian tattoo in Bora Bora?

It can be, provided you approach it with respect. Work with an artist who explains the symbolism of each element. Avoid requesting a design that belongs to a specific family or chief lineage. The artist should guide you — not the other way around.

How much does a traditional-style tattoo cost in Bora Bora?

Prices vary significantly by artist and complexity. A small, simple design may start around $150–$300 USD, while larger custom work can run into the thousands. The consultation alone may carry a fee. Do not bargain — this is not a market stall transaction.

What is the difference between traditional hand-tapping and machine tattooing?

Hand-tapping uses a bone or metal comb tapped with a mallet — the same method used for centuries. It is slower, more painful, and leaves a slightly raised scar. Machine tattooing is faster and less traumatic to the skin, but some purists argue it lacks the spiritual weight of the traditional method. Few artists in Bora Bora offer hand-tapping for tourists.

Can I bring my own design to a Bora Bora tattoo artist?

Most artists will not copy an existing tattoo design from a photograph, as this is considered appropriation. However, they can work with your ideas to create an original piece that incorporates elements meaningful to you. Be prepared to explain why each element matters.

What happens if my tattoo gets infected in the tropical climate?

Infection is a genuine risk. Keep the tattoo clean and dry, avoid swimming for at least two weeks, and apply the aftercare balm your artist provides. If redness, swelling, or discharge develops, see a doctor immediately. The local clinic in Vaitape can treat minor infections.

Closing

The persistence of Polynesian tattooing through colonial suppression, missionary brutality, and cultural erasure is not a story of survival for tourism — it is a story of survival for identity. A visitor who walks into a studio in Bora Bora expecting a souvenir is walking into a tradition that predates European contact by millennia, one where an incomplete tattoo was once considered a mark of shame that followed a person and their family through life. That weight does not disappear because the tools have changed. The impact of tourism on local traditions in Bora Bora is complex, and the tattoo needle sits at its sharpest point.

Sources and further reading

Polynesian Tattoos: A History of the Sacred Art. Bora Bora Insider, n.d.

In Polynesia, Tattoos Are More Than Skin Deep. National Geographic, 2022.

Polynesian Tattooing. Tahiti Tourisme, n.d.