How the job is done / Length of time to do it

The process of tattooing in Samoa is so painful and it is done using primitive instruments. A comb (au) is dipped in ink and dragged across the flesh, to slice it open by tapping with a mallet. The ink penetrates into the skin, and the blood is wiped off by the artist helper. The process is repeated over and over until the tattoo is completed. The length of the time to do it depends in the artist (tufuga) as there shouldn’t be much blood lost during one session.