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Tattooing is a stressor that could have adaptive benefits. Previous research indicates that endocrine and immune systems adjust to the stress of modern electric tattooing over lifetime experience, but it is unclear how these systems react to traditional hand-tap tattooing. The objective of this study was to explore how the body responds to this intense cultural stressor through examining traditional tattooing in Samoa, where saliva samples were collected throughout the first day from a Samoan man receiving the tattoo. Morning elevations and diurnal profiles of cortisol, C-reactive protein (CRP), secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), and bacteria killing activity (BKA) are described, and comparison is made between these data and a previous study including hand-tap and electric tattooing. Peaks in the diurnal cortisol slope correspond with anticipation of beginning an important tattoo, tattooing activity, and evening pain as stress-related analgesia diminishes and inflammation rises. Peaks in CRP levels may reflect normal moment-to-moment changes in salivary excretion. sIgA and BKA fluctuate similarly to one another throughout the day of tattooing. There were no significant differences in average pain ratings or biomarker levels between the two tattooing styles. Exploring tattooing and endocrine function is important to understanding how culture interacts with endocrine and immune function.
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Physiology of Pe'a and Malu: Biocultural Case Studies of Endocrine and Immune Responses to Samoan Tatau
Tattooing has become a prominent form of body modification worldwide since the 20th century, leading to a revival of traditional hand-tap techniques, especially those from Samoa. The Samoan traditional pe’a (male tattoo) and malu (female) are distinctive, as they are administered by hand-tap tools in open-air bungalows and are to be completed in a short period of time, usually 1-2 days for the malu and a week to a month for the pe’a. This study involved systematically collecting saliva samples from participants undergoing traditional Samoan tattooing practices facilitated by Sulu’ape Tatau in Apia, Samoa. The Sulu’ape Tatau lineage is recognized as a prominent representative of the Su’a Guild, which holds significant cultural and historical importance within the realm of Samoan tatau. This study characterizes the physiological responses to tatau by analyzing biomarkers such as cortisol, secretory immunoglobulin A, and C-reactive protein. Given the constraints on healthcare resources in Samoa, understanding these physiological responses provides insight into how cultural practices like tatau may enhance biological resilience against health challenges.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2017553
- PAR ID:
- 10608744
- Publisher / Repository:
- University of the Pacific
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Pacific Journal of Health
- Volume:
- 7
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 2576-215X
- Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
- allostasis, malu, pe'a, tatau, tattoo, traditional handtap tattooing
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.56031/2576-215X.1066
