Su'a Sulu'ape Alaiva'a Petelo
Tufuga tā tatau · Sāmoa
- Style
- Hand-tap tatau
- Regions served
- Sāmoa
- Tradition
- Samoa tradition →
About Petelo’s work
Brother of Su'a Sulu'ape Paulo II, described by Wikipedia as a respected master tattooist. In 1985 he visited a tattoo convention in Rome at the invitation of American tattooist Don Ed Hardy.
Motifs documented in Samoa work
These symbols are recorded in the Samoa design vocabulary in our sourced motif library. They are not a claim about Petelo’s personal repertoire — each entry links to its own cited meaning.
Frequently asked about Su'a Sulu'ape Alaiva'a Petelo
Where is Su'a Sulu'ape Alaiva'a Petelo based?+
Su'a Sulu'ape Alaiva'a Petelo is recorded as working from Sāmoa (Sāmoa).
What style of Polynesian tattooing does Su'a Sulu'ape Alaiva'a Petelo practise?+
Su'a Sulu'ape Alaiva'a Petelo is listed as a tufuga tā tatau working in hand-tap tatau, within the Samoa tradition.
Is Su'a Sulu'ape Alaiva'a Petelo a traditional or contemporary practitioner?+
Su'a Sulu'ape Alaiva'a Petelo is documented within a traditional lineage, meaning the practice is tied to hand-tap tools and customary transmission of the craft.
What sources support this profile?+
This profile cites 1 public reference: Wikipedia — Sulu'ape family of tattooists.
Sources & citations
Each statement on this profile is written to match the public sources below. Follow the links to check the details on Petelo for yourself.
- Wikipedia — Sulu'ape family of tattooists ↗en.wikipedia.org
More context on Samoa tattoo practice: Samoa culture page · motif library · placement guide · choosing an artist