PMN's Summer Series: 'When I got my Malu I knew that my service had to increase to a new level'

Welcome to PMN's Summer Series, where we republish some of our best and most popular stories from the last 18 months - in largely their original form.

​As part of celebrate Samoan language week, Samoan tutor/performer Ella Loheni-Stancil reflects on her personal voyage of receiving her Malu. ​

The Malu is a traditional female tattoo that is tattooed on a woman’s body from the upper thigh to the lower knee. Historically only the daughter of the high chief received the Malu, but nowadays there are more and more Tama'ita'i Samoa of all ages choosing to get it done.

“To me it is a representation of our matriarchal ancestors and everything they represent. It is a signifier of strength and the resilience of our women and the place they fit in society and it is very special to me because it is such a sacred Measina,” says Loheni-Stancil.

Ella Loheni-Stancil when she received her Malu in Samoa in 201​​9 ​ ​​​​"The responsibility of having a Malu is immense and something I do not take lightly. I have always held myself with great pride as a Tama'ita'i Samoa, but when I got my Malu I knew that my service had to increase to a new level and that is what the Malu is all about."

The pain endured during the Malu process is spoken of to be a feeling that highlights the significance, strength and resilience of the Samoan Women who receive it. Some Malu’s can take up to a week to complete, however Loheni-Stancil says her Malu only took 3 hours as she was eager to see it completed.

“The most common question I get asked is, is it painful? And I never know how to answer that question because it’s a different kind of pain. I have always believed that our traditional tools and implements such as the Au holds mana.

“And although it was painful and although I felt the struggle and the fight of my ancestors, I also felt the triumph, the strength, the resilience and the mana as it tapped my skin for the first time.”

Loheni-Stancil was born and raised in Samoa and has always held herself proudly as a Tama'ita’i Samoa. At 16, she recalls asking her Mum for permission to get her Malu done but was surprised when her Mum said no as she wanted her daughter to go out into the world and gain more life experience.

“She said no in the beginning and I was quite surprised because from a young age I had always embraced myself as a Tama'ita’i Samoa. Mum said that she wanted me to experience real pain first, real heartbreak and real life problems. At the time I had no idea what she meant until I got a bit older and I moved overseas”

After moving to Auckland when she was 18 to pursue higher education at Auckland University of Technology, Ella recalls enduring obstacles and gaining many of the life experiences her Mum had been referring to.

So two years later when she turned 20, she went back to Samoa for a family wedding yet little did she know she would be receiving her Malu.

“My Mum sat me down and said you have an opportunity to get your Malu done and I kind of just sat there in shock as she said you're ready.”

Ella and her Mum Jackie Loheni

The privilege of a receiving a Malu also comes with much responsibility and service to one’s family, community and village. Loheni-Stancil grew up observing the way her Grandmother, Mother and Aunties have served their community and country of Samoa which inspired and gave her confidence to be able to do the same.

“When I got my Malu I knew that my service had to increase to a new level and that is what the Malu is all about. There are many things that people will say that you need to get a Malu, but I believe that it all comes down to Tautua which is service. Service to your family, to your church, to your community, to your people but also service to yourself.

“And I encourage young Tama'ita’i Samoa when they are planning or thinking of getting a Malu know that language is not only spoken. And that is something that I heard from a very wise woman.

"That you can express your culture through many ways and many mediums and don't let that be a barrier to immersing yourself in your Aganu’u and embracing yourself as a true Tama'ita’i Samoa.”