'Treasures Of Fiji'-Preparing For Womanhood

Historically, young girls in Fiji were tattooed as soon as they reached puberty.

A prerequisite for womanhood and marriage, they were tattooed in honour of an ancient Nakau­vadra princess called Adi Vilai­wasa.

The practice of tattooing is called veiqia or samuqawe and was only done by and on females.

Hereditary specialists called daubati tattooed the girls. Ceremo­nial feasts and presentations for the daubati were given by the girl’s family, or the family of her new husband, before the process began in the vale ni veiqia (tattoo house) or qara ni veiqia (tattooing cave).

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Source: Fiji Museum

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