Tatau I Taputapuatea (tattoo festival on the major temple of Polynesian exchange) was a spectacular and mystical ceremony.

(At right, Paul Jeffries of Calgary, Canada, Filip Leu, Lausanne, Switzerland, and Tin-Tin, Paris, France enjoy dancing in theopening ceremonies).

An elegant symphony of tattoo occured with the rhythmic tap-style sound of ancestral tattooing, acompanied by the buzzing of modern machines.

An exchange of cultural, spiritual and technical skills in a wonderful atmosphere.

In the opening of this festival, we were invited to a ceremony called, Umuti - a ceremony whose purpose is to purify the persons who practice the activity of tattoo on the site. It was the purification by the fire, and we were all invited to walk on fire. We all did it and some of us were burned (hope that Titine Leu's feet healed O.K.).

The next morning, in opening of the tattoo activity, a Kava ceremony was offered. Kava roots reduced to powder, and mixed with water, is consumed for relaxation.

Finally, the time of tattoo arived. Palm roof booths were offered to all; worldwide artists were ready.

The splendid Leu family - three generations passionate for tattoo - shared with the population what they do best for the price of a smile or gratitude. The Leus was there only for spiratual enrichment.

Inia from Auckland and Jeff Rhodes from Sydney, both artists from New Zealand, exploded in their specialty. The Tahitians love Maori art. Jeff finished the festival with an inflamation of his ankle caused by the constant use of his switch pedal (I never saw this before!).

Coming from the other side of the globe. Mo'o from Mao y Kathy Spain, was here too. Tap-style spirit, he did not bring a machine.

Mr.Leo Zulueta and all the Blackwave delegation was present. Spiratuality and exchange was present in the spirit of the convention.

The Hawiian, Keone Nunes, and his stretcher, offered a North Pacific tap-style. Suprising affluence much like the Samoan tattooists. The patterns were tattooed without tracing beforehand. From the school of Paulo Suluape.

Unforgettable Paulo Suluape was there himself through his tattoos on many artists, and by the presence of of the Samoan delegation represented by his brother, Petelo Suluape, two stretchers and the wonderful body suit tattooed by him. The tap technique of these people is very advanced.

Rapa Nui, (Easter Island), was represented by young, contemporary artists, symbolic of the cultural rebirth on the Chilean Island. Their tattooing clearly had Tahitian influence.

There was also Tin Tin from Paris: the uncontested artist and French joker, enjoyed what he does best - portrait work.

Marco Leoni from Italy; Wer from Berlin; C. Bon - Denmark, PsychoPat, Julien, Philip and Cathy - France; FreeWind, Gini - USA; and many more from all over were there.

Of course, the Tahitian school of Freehand was well represented; we could observe that the tradition was renewed by tattoo work, sometimes really contemporary. All of the artists were there and ready to share their knowledge, and learn from others. To name a few: Simeon, Kina, Afraima, Raurii for the Marqueses; Porutu, Vatea, Tavita, Taniera, Varii, Michelle and Aroma, Tihotis and many more from Tahiti. All of these people were orchestrated by the Office of Tourism, Tahiti Manava, and consolidated by the help of the "Tahitian Globe Trotter," Chime from Moorea. He actively participated in the choice and the meeting of all artists. Maruru Chime!

Each artist carried a stone; that was the wish of the local priest. In fact, each artist had a mission to carry with him, a stone from his country, to symbolize the unification between the different origins of each ones country. The ceremony of stone offering on the sacred site of Taputapuatea: each artist offered his stone with respect explained through silence, incantation, a sentence or a Haka (traditional warrior dance with singing and incantation).

Keones Nunes, gave a strong incantation, singing in the old style of the Hawaiian orator. Felix Leu: placed three stones, three countries "I come from multiple places in this world." Tin Tin offered a red brick; a perfect symbol of the Parisian world where he's from. The Easter Islanders offered with a Haka from Rapa Nui.

And a lot of other stones were deposited by everyone. What I know about this; each stone will be respected and watched over for the next generation.

During the festival, we also got to witness a historic reconstitution: Magnificent expositions of costume and music putting in scene the traditioal tattoo of a young man of royal despondence.

A short historical note: the tattoo existed in the four corners of the world. It was prohibited by Christian civilization politics, and was rediscovered and renamed by the first explorers of the Pacific Islands. Explorers discovered populations of bodies covered in patterns inspired by the natural elements surrounding them. The art of putting those marks in the skin was called, ta-tatau.

I am sure that a lot of us relived these instances, like a flashback of the first navigator passionate for tattoo. (Refer to: Tattoo History Source Book: Sir Joseph Banks and the First Records of Tattooing in Tahiti and New Zealand)

On the last day of the festival, all of the artists were in intense labor. Some were finishing small pieces (hand and ear ornaments were fashionable) and others were finishing big work that they had began in the past days or in the morning (Filip enjoyed himself in his specialty, a giant skull back piece). At the end of the day, in gratitude for our presence, a show was presented. Also, a dance invitation to all the artists. Then, in a chain of colored skin, we expressed our gratitude in a traditional song of blessing. Finally, everyone could exchange compliments, gratitude and addresses. Tatau I Taputapuatea was finished, but everything just started.

In the week following the festival, many extended their trip for the friendships that were created, the pleasure of the hot lagoons, or to collect tattoos. In brief, we all appreciated this South Pacific adventure, and will return again.

Special thanks to Tahiti Manava for the comfort and hospitality offered to the invited artists. It was a five star experience. Thank you. Maruru!

Pooino, tattoos.com (note: for more work by Pooino go to http://tattoos.com/tahiti ).