sunameke

Today was a first ... Thank you Mikey @mikesybabes for letting me teach myself how to tap. I really couldn’t have done this without your ‘that feels better’ which actually meant that hurt right 😂🤣... LOVE YOU BIG TIME!! #melanesianmarks #handtapping #whānau . 📸 @angie_pokarop 🎧 If I could start today again, Vika and Linda

She's strong and brave!! She has also been alone every time she has been marked. Whilst we marked, we were making comparisons to how it would have been for our Bubu's and how it is for us now. The differences are stark and reflect how our world has changed. A quiet and intense couple of days for Terita. . The goal of this trip to POM was to finish off unfinished marks... #goalacheived . Until next time Terita #revareva #gabagaba #melanesia #teptok #papuanewguineatattoo . Terita from Gabagaba village in Port Moresby, 2016 www.melanesianmarks.com . 🔸(Ps. Potential Takers, Please don't copy designs, they are culturally significant, they belong to the wearer and their family)

Can’t express how much this makes me want to cry!! #somoved #brave #papuanwomen . Visual reminder of the strength of our women and the respect due to them... I often joke about my Gabagaba connections through the Ingram family and that I can’t seem to escape them ... truth is the women that have stepped up to wear our marks again have strong ties to Gabagaba. Sharing my appreciation and respect for these two amazing women. #proud #motu #revareva #oldtonewold #gabagaba #gaire #porebada #melanesianmarks #papuanewguineatattoo

https://www.sunameke.com/film

Hide, Shifting the Maiden Series

What an awesome afternoon sharing stories with PIPA peeps #air #oldtonewold #pacificdancenz #artistinresidence #pipa - Julia (at P.I.P.A - Pacific Institute of Performing Arts)

42nd PNG independence celebrations, Beenleigh. . First time in six years that a Sunameke person has not been in with the Brisbane Manus Dance Group. We got to take pics & videos & still ran out to join in! - Kat

Thank you @nessykikita for the lovely write up #nesiandance #sunameke #myfathersdaughter . Link http://www.myfathersdaughter.com.au/when-i-say-nesian

Sharing Ren's post about her Marks ... LOVED being with you and your sisters yesterday 🌺#melanesianmarks #kairukuconnections ... . Repost @rensongoro . . Yesterday I had the extreme privilege to be tattooed using the hand poke method by Julia @melanesianmarks. My marks are unique and solely represent me but mostly importantly my strength, my Bubu's, my mothers, my sisters and my ancestors strength. My marks are centipedes and the designs are carried through women from Kairuku where my Bubu Tua is from. Two of my three sisters came along my journey, my eldest sister Samantha stretched my right hand and my youngest sister, Layla stretched my left hand. Traditionally when being tattooed back home in the village it is vital to have your Bubus, mothers, sisters, aunties and all extended family around you. I'm so honoured to have my sisters connected to my marks and to me. My love for them can't even be described and I am so so grateful to have them in my life. The time with Julia and the girls was truly truly beautiful - we laughed and shared stories during the whole time....and even better got to have waffles and crepes with chocolate afterwards ❤️. Waking up this morning and raising my hands to see my marks was unbelievable- I cried and then laughed. As a young women I have been through a whole lot of obstacles and these marks represent my resilience, courage and strength - my marks that I can carry on through to my children and pass on culture and tradition. This is not the end but a continual journey to keep the culture alive and revive this lost art of tattoo in PNG. Thank you Bubu Tua and all my ancestors for looking after me and for your continual guidance. HUGE LOVE LOVE to Julia @melanesianmarks ❤️❤️❤️ . #mymarks #kairuku #handpoke #cathartic #journey #strength #resilence #melenesian #pngwoman #thisismytime #strongwomen #revival #whataday #keeptheculturealive #blessedwiththebest #juliayouareakickasslady #'stupid'😂 (at Sydney, Australia)

Meri Manus Mekeo ... Sending out love to a woman with much generosity, empathy and positivity!! . #poapoa #harahara #melanesianmarks #oncewasmystretcher #missyoucuz #png . . 🔸(Potential Takers, Please don't copy designs, they are personally and culturally significant ... In other words, they don't belong to you 😊)

Terita and her revareva . #reminiscing #melanesianmarks #motukekeni #gabs #revareva . 🔸(Potential Takers, Please don't copy designs, they are personally and culturally significant)

Spent time today with Ahi and Mel... making connections ... #nesianconnections #melanesianmarks #beautifulwahines 🔊: Uluhua Wale Au , Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom

Sharing Moale's thoughts 🌺 . #talkingtatu #breakingdownstereotypes #melanesianmarks . . #Repost @moale0james ・・・ I'm still getting used to having these in plain sight. I'm loving the conversation starter they've become when I meet new people! 👋🏽They've provided the opportunity to destroy stereotypes around tattoos, as not simply a branding or sticker; but it can be recognised as a connection to culture, heritage and family. ❤️ #lele #livingmixed #mixedrace #png #australia #tattoo #2017 #startingconversations #blessed