Mata Mata Arahu and Tu Ra'i Po

The history of the first tattoo goes back to the dawn of time when Ta'aroa the Creator, the father of the gods and the Worlds, having populated the heavens with a multitude of divinities, created the first man. He brought him from the "underworld" all dressed in sand and he named him Ti'i.

Ta'aroa gave Ti'i infinite powers and also gave him a wife. A wonderful companion who had two faces; a face in front and a face behind. She was named Hina Maha'i Tua Mea (she who soothes all things). Then both took possession of the Earth, desired each other and married.

From their union was born a daughter whom they named Hina Ere Ere Manua (Hina with an impetuous character). Then other children were born and the Earth began to be populated. When Hina became a young girl, her parents, to protect her from the outside world and preserve her virginity, locked her up in a vast property surrounded by a solid palisade.

One day, Mata Mata Arahu (who prints with charcoal) and Tu Ra'i Po (who resides in the dark sky), the two sons of the great god Ta'aroa, saw Hina who was dozing at the foot of a tree. majestic in the middle of the enclosure which protected her from all contact.

At that time, the gods often came to visit humans to help them or, on the contrary, to play tricks on them. They were captivated by its beauty and decided to remove it. They came to her the next morning and told her how much they liked her and what wonderful times they could have together. Hina obeying her parents answered them that she was not authorized to speak to them and that they should not stay there, under pain of provoking the fury of her father.

The two brothers retired and began to travel all over the Earth in search of the most beautiful gifts that could be offered to such a delicate vahine. They returned the next day with arms laden with presents: rare fruits, necklaces of black pearls, fine mother-of-pearl and umete full of the most delicate dishes. They invited Hina to accept their gifts and follow them. Once again, Hina listened to her parents and refused the offer of the two brothers.

Mata Mata Arahu and Tu Ra'i Po were part of the group of artisan gods. It is therefore naturally that they went to seek advice from the other gods. Tohu (the one who prophesies), creator of the designs and colors of fish and shells, initiated them into the secrets of beauty and created tattoos for them. He invented and made the bone and wooden tools for this, as well as the bluish ink that would embellish them.

Mata Mata Arahu and Tu Ra'i Po adorned themselves with the design called Tao Maro Mata. Then they went back to dancing to seduce Hina Ere Ere Manua. They danced, their faces reddened with sap from mati leaves (link) and their bodies smeared with monoi (link) to highlight the bluish designs that covered them.

Seeing the magnificent pattern symbolizing seduction, she was captivated by its beauty and, listening to her heart, deceived the vigilance of her parents to flee with the two brothers. She was beautifully tattooed. This is how, since that day, all humans have embellished themselves to attract the benevolence of the gods and to please their fellow human beings.