Ep 010 Inscribed Legacies: Tongan Tattooing & Honoring Ancestral Connections with Terje Koloamatangi

Sitting across from me, Terje Koloamatangi, a Tongan cultural tattoo practitioner, shares his ink-infused wisdom, revealing how each etching on our skin can tether us to our ancestors. As we savor the ceremonial kava, Terje recounts his initiation into tattoo artistry under the tutelage of a Samoan master, igniting a passion for reviving traditional Pacific methods. Our conversation takes you through the heart of Tonga, where the ritualistic kava ceremonies are not just about drink, but about connection, history, and the indelible marks of identity.

The late Paulo's legacy casts a long shadow in our discussion, as we honor his seminal role in the Pacific tattoo renaissance. His untimely departure left a chasm, inspiring Terje's journey into the depths of tattoo research and ultimately birthing the Indigenous Ink Tattoo Festival. Here, tattoo artists from distant corners of the earth converge, sharing stories and skills, and celebrating the vibrancy of ancient traditions in contemporary culture. We honor the connections forged in ink and flesh, and the collective effort to keep the embers of traditional tattooing aglow in our global village.

The final strokes of our dialogue paint a picture of cultural authenticity that transcends the mere tools of the trade. We share stories of inspiration drawn from war clubs to whispering tattoos, underscoring the belief that genuine expression is bound not by the implements, but by the spirit behind the symbolism. As we venture through museum 'junk drawers' and reflect on rediscovered Tongan tattooing instruments, we invite listeners to grasp the tactile history and the importance of preserving the visual languages that define our shared human tapestry. Join us in a reverent exploration of the ink that writes our past and inscribes our future.

I hope you have enjoyed this episode, and I am excited to travel the world of Indigenous tattooing with you as we visit with friends and colleagues from across the globe doing the work.

You can find Terje at:
Instagram @terje_k
YouTube: @terjekoloamatangi2946

Check out my tattoo work at:
https://www.consumedbyink.com
Instagram @dionkaszas

Buy me a Coffee at:
https://ko-fi.com/transformativemarks

I acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts