Waypoint 9

Pacific Islanders: Body Art & Bare Skin

Across the Pacific Islands, naturism was deeply intertwined with cultural identity, artistic expression and spiritual tradition. In Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia, traditional dress and body art reflected societal roles, status and connection to the natural world. While minimal clothing was the norm due to the tropical climate, intricate tattooing and adornments often held deeper significance. European encounters, however, introduced new dress codes, altering perceptions of modesty and reshaping indigenous customs.

Traditional Polynesian Dress and Tattooing

Before European contact, Pacific Islanders wore minimal garments suited to their warm environment. Men commonly donned loincloths (such as the Samoan lavalava or the Hawaiian malo), while women wore grass skirts or tapa cloth wraps. Clothing was often secondary to body decoration, with tattoos, headdresses and jewellery carrying far greater cultural weight.

Tattooing was especially significant in Polynesian cultures. The Māori of New Zealand practiced tā moko, a form of facial and body tattooing that signified lineage, social rank, and personal achievements. In Samoa, the pe'a (a full-body tattoo worn by men) and the malu (a thigh tattoo worn by women) were rites of passage, symbolising endurance and spiritual strength. Similarly, the Marquesas Islands had extensive body tattoo traditions, emphasising aesthetic beauty and warrior prestige.

European Encounters and Imposed Clothing Rules

When European explorers, missionaries and colonists arrived in the Pacific during 18th and 19th centuries, they imposed Western clothing norms upon indigenous populations. Nudity, once seen as natural and dignified, was reframed as immodest or sinful. Missionaries distributed Western garments and discouraged traditional tattooing, viewing it as a pagan practice.

These imposed norms altered indigenous societies in profound ways. While some communities adopted European-style clothing in daily life, others continued to embrace their cultural heritage in ceremonies and traditional events. Today, there is a resurgence of pride in traditional dress and tattooing, with many Pacific Islanders reclaiming their ancestral practices as expressions of identity and resilience.

Romanticism and Cultural Impact

Despite colonial suppression, European fascination with Pacific Island cultures endured. Writers, artists, and explorers often romanticised Polynesian life, portraying the islands as paradises of freedom and simplicity. Figures like Paul Gauguin depicted Tahitian culture in idealised, sensual forms, while adventure novels and travelogues perpetuated myths of an untouched utopia. However, these depictions were often Eurocentric and ignored the realities of colonial oppression and cultural resistance.

Today, the cultural traditions of the Pacific Islands remain vibrant. From tattoo revival movements to continued use of traditional garments in ceremonies, Pacific Islanders assert their heritage, blending ancient customs with modern identity.

Illustration Idea: A Pacific Islander chief adorned with tattoos, wearing minimal traditional clothing, representing cultural pride and heritage.