The Embassy of France commemorates the independence of Samoa
In 2012, Samoa celebrates 50 years of Independence, with official celebrations beginning on the 1st of June. To
commemorate the occasion, the Embassy of France in Wellington has organised two talks on the subject of traditional tattooing in Samoa and New Zealand.
The conferences, entitled “Embodied Tradition: The Heritage of Two Different Body Ornaments, Tā Moko and Tā Tatau”. will be delivered by French researchers, Sébastien Galliot and Simon Jean.
THE TALKS
The first one will be held in Apia, in the fale of the National University of Samoa, on the 2nd of June, at 3:00 pm.
The second one will be held in Soudings Theatre at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa , in Wellington, on the 9th of June at 12pm.
Simon Jean will speak about the evolution of tattooing in Aotearoa and will explain how Tā moko, an example of a traditional Māori practice, is influenced by its use within occidental
societies.
Sébastien Galliot will speak about the evolution of the technical and social aspects of tattooing in Samoan society until the end of the 20th century.
Sébastien has been working since 2011 at the the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris, which signed a memorandum of understanding with Te Papa, in January. The event will be the first illustration of the cooperation since the signature.