It is decorated with tatau used for females, called the ‘malu’, and includes designs from the land, sea and air.
Similar designs have been used on the Team Samoa apparel and the clock town in central Apia.
‘Malu’ means to protect or shelter and refers to the role of the woman to nurture her family and culture. Malu is from the word ‘mamalu’ meaning honour and dignity.
This reflects the sacred nature of tatau and is a symbol of what it means to be a tama’ita’i Samoa, and the notions of femininity, fertility and childbirth.
