What are the Best Samoan Headdress out there? That's a good question because there are some amazing ones, and some very bad ones (People who use wigs on a Samoan Headdress). We will only go through some of the best right now. I see three or four colors that are really beautiful which are a White-Blonde, Red & Tan, and Black-Brown. They are all pretty traditional, thank Goodness we have Samoan Artists who can design and improve. Now I understand that a Headdress isn't the most attractive thing in the world, but maybe we can work with it.
The History of the Samoan Headdress is pretty dark in itself, and in older ancient times only worn by men of great standing (with a titled War reputation), which is why it's not exactly on the top 10 fashions list. The Samoan Headdress is one of those things that the culture keeps, but doesn't really have a use for at this time. It's from a time long past, at least over a thousand years ago. There are old tales that the prongs sticking up out of the Samoan headdress, in War, used to hold the enemy's skulls for all to see. Even when the first Euro foreigners came in contact with Polynesia, the Samoan Headdress had long peaked in it's former glory days. Almost all cultures with a headdress have a previous history of head-hunting, scalping, or sacrificial practicing, or all three. Headdress are still used in many many cultures, even foreign Imperial military have very decorative Headdress for their Generals and Admirals (gold laced and always high standing in the air, usually with feathers or fur or something on the head mounted as a trophy), which is why there is still a lot of wiggle room where we can possibly apply this part of the Samoan culture. Even a Royal crown has been at times a "headdress", and not always so refined with jewels. So keep working on the designs, and try maybe to apply it back into it's former role of military use (without the skulls though), or not, maybe it should stay in the past.
So why does the Samoan woman now wear the headdress? The answer to that is theatre and dance. The purpose of the woman wearing the Samoan headdress started through story telling, which was shown through a theatrical dance, sometimes the dance includes Samoan style weapons and the woman gets to show her graceful combat skill. And again, many cultures have weapon dances, celebrating their skill and old battles.
Tauivi Designs Tan & Black-Brown (Mapuana Reed Photography)
Aotearoa New Zealand Polyfest Stage 2011 White Blonde
Samoa Tannish-Brown Red
Now what makes this one different from the others? In my opinion, it's just poorly put together and someone has added little dirty orange feathers inside the dress. Looks sad and depressing. Artists today are working on Samoa Headdress (Tauivi Designs and others), keeping the prestige of the cultural piece.
As an Artist I would love to see at least a separate one for the men, at least one separate one for women, and one or several separate types for different ranks, and would love to see a Full White and a Full Black one (Wedding and Events), maybe one with Gold fibers. The reason being is that since the traditional Headdress has been more than well established, why not go further with it because it seems pretty logical, that in the future, women might want something more feminine other than a war-headdress. It's even possible that one design could be used with uniform by a District Samoan Police, if it's good enough, something that can accommodate to the times. Lots of possibilities. I love what Tauivi and Mapuana are doing and hope they continue to create. What's traditional and what's not, or is it time to play with the designs at all will sort itself out, and be up to the public.
As an Artist I would love to see at least a separate one for the men, at least one separate one for women, and one or several separate types for different ranks, and would love to see a Full White and a Full Black one (Wedding and Events), maybe one with Gold fibers. The reason being is that since the traditional Headdress has been more than well established, why not go further with it because it seems pretty logical, that in the future, women might want something more feminine other than a war-headdress. It's even possible that one design could be used with uniform by a District Samoan Police, if it's good enough, something that can accommodate to the times. Lots of possibilities. I love what Tauivi and Mapuana are doing and hope they continue to create. What's traditional and what's not, or is it time to play with the designs at all will sort itself out, and be up to the public.
Posted in: Arts and Media Blog
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