King Charles winced as he observed a woman endure the traditional Samoan tattoo process on her leg. Tattooist John Lemisio shared his family's history in the sacred Samoan art of "Tatau" with the monarch.
Upon enquiring whether the procedure was painful, the King received an amusing response from John: "It's very painful, very painful." Curious about the duration of the discomfort, Charles asked another question, to which John replied: "It is a lifetime of pain."
Charles, retaining his sense of humour, wondered: "Do you need a drink for that? " However, he learned that no relief was administered: "No. No medicine."
Lemisio playfully welcomed his royal visitor: "Welcome to the house of pain, your majesty! " to which Charles remarked: "Yes, it must be very painful."
Each tattoo design holds profound significance, reflecting personal narratives, heritage, and social standing, requiring Samoan artists to possess not only technical prowess but also deep cultural insight, the Mirror reports.
During their visit to a virtual "cultural village" presented by the Samoa Tourism Authority, the King and Queen engaged with this display of cultural heritage.
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This innovative format allowed for a condensed cultural experience, assembling individuals from nearby villages in one venue enabling the Royal couple to interact extensively with the local community in a single setting.
Their reception was made memorable by Deputy Prime Minister Afiosa Tuala Ponifasio's heartfelt words: "Words cannot express how honoured we are and how appreciative we are for you being amongst our midst. We are very grateful, Your Majesties."
Pesteta Arasi, President of the Samoan Women In Business, showcased the traditional Samoan weaving process to royalty. She highlighted the durability of their weaves stating: "You can put the pillow on the mat and you can have a quick rest."
Adding cultural context, they were introduced to 'le Samoa', the finely woven mat that's central to Samoan families, symbolising their affluence.
This intricate item is created through a six-stage process involving Pandanus leaves which are dried, soaked in seawater, washed, bleached, and expertly slit for weaving.
The most luxurious of these, known as 'le-Sae', stand out due to their finesse and superior quality craftsmanship. During the visit, the King watched locals soaking and scrubbing a mat under the rain, humorously noting, "It must be the ideal day for it."
Having observed the manufacturing process, Camilla was presented with Siapo – a cloth of significant historical value made from tree bark, once a clothing material and now revered as art.
Outside, the King and Queen were entertained by a traditional war dance and had a chance to engage with the island's decorated rugby and cricket athletes.
Miss Samoa 2024, Beauty Queen Litara Leremia-Allan had the honour of greeting Queen Camilla and expressed her unforgettable experience by stating: "Samoan Queens have strength and resilience are the glue that holds our community together."
She also noted: "A Samoan Queen and British Queen is a meeting of two different understandings and an intersection of cultures and I'm honoured to present this side."
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