Calendar tattoo, 2014

Kiribati Tattoos

Extensive body tattoos are not now an integral part of Kiribati life although limited tattooing is still done. The following rare information was compiled in about 1930 and indicates the extensive tattooing that was done in certain parts of Kiribati at this time
The tattooing instrument was called Te Wii n Taitai, the tattoo marks being termedTaita i.
The handle of the wii n taitai was made of tarine wood (the wild almond) and the points of
sharpened turtle shell.
When tattooing, the wii n taitai was hit with any suitable piece of ba (midrib of the coconut
frond), the hammer being termed Te Kai n Oro.
The turtle shell was cut with a large Te Batino (sea urchin) which had previously been
sharpened by rubbing it against a stone from the reef known as Te Em.
The wii n taitai was then inserted into a slot in the tarine wood. It was not bound at all with
string, but the inserted end was wasted.
The tattooing ink is made from the ashes of the coconut known as Te Wae, which has no
kernel, mixed with salt, or occasionally fresh water.
The pattern is drawn by a straight length of Te Noko (the midrib of the coconut leaf) being
pressed on the skin.
The ink is put on with a length of Te Noko bent into a triangle.
One side of the triangle is dipped into the ink and drawn along the line already made. The wii
n taitai is then hit down with the hammer along the inked lines.
The designs are as follows:
Te Atu Ni Kua
Four feathered lines from the shoulder blades to the top of the thigh, ending on the back of the
thighs.
Te Kana Ni Kua
Extending from where the Atu ni Kua leaves off to the top of the ankle, going down the side
of the thighs and legs.
Te Manoku Ni Wae
Extending from the back of the ankle, straight up the back of the leg and thigh to the top of
the buttock.
Te Moa Ni Wae