Celebrating A Sāmoan Birthday

Tava’esina Alo’ovaveao Scanlan hadn’t cut her beautiful, dark hair since birth! Her grandmother gave her blessing to participate in the LE TU’A OTI - Otiga o le Lau Ulu o Tava'esina ceremony to cut her long locks off on her 11th birthday. I had the honor of documenting her and her hair just before it was cut and added to a traditional family headpiece called a Tūiga. For this session, she wore a traditional Puletasi. This beautiful garment was made by her aunt of Lalelei Designs. She was later draped with a family Siapo. Made in the traditional Sāmoan art form, this Siapo is made from the bark of a Paper Mulberry tree and passed from generation to generation. I had such an awesome time meeting Tava’e and learning a bit about the Sāmoan culture.