The Samoan people have valued tattooing as an art form for several years.  As the story goes, long ago, one of the Samoan chiefs recognized the talents of two women from Fiji.  This chief learned the trade of tattooing from these two women, and then passed his knowledge of the tattooing tools, as well as the art on to the people of his village.    Men and women alike may be tattooed.

Originally, tattoos were simply painted onto the skin, however, one Samoan learned the art of true tattooing.  He was supposedly the first person to use hammers and other sharp object to inject the paint under the skin, instead of simply on the surface.

Traditional Samoan tattooing of the entire body takes several weeks and much pain to complete.  Originally, one who desired, or was appointed a matai (chief) was required to undergo this painful process.  Now, it is not necessary in order to become a chief of a Samoan village, however, those who do undergo the process engage in a ritualistic ceremony.

 
REALLY WONDERFUL PICTURES OF WHERE TATTOOS ARE PLACED AND WHY
FROM:  http://www.samoa.co.uk/tattoos.html