Talosaga pouli: Ancient worship of the black lizard by night

Talosaga is a night prayer, or chant. This must be one of my first inspired by my painting - ’O le Talosaga. Memories of worship by night and by day. Asking for safe passage of travel.

The male figure is tattooed; a warrior person. Lizards embody a different meaning, as they were regarded as Gods of the night. The white gecko is tiny and is found inside houses, the black lizards are found outside. Lizards are good luck - pili. (Fatu Feu'u: O le Tautai Samoa, 2002)

“Talosaga is a night prayer and is an ancient chant that is always said in the evening. It asks for a blessing for the next day. This print has memories of worship by night and by day. It asks for safe passage of travel.

The male figure is tattooed but he is also a warrior. Lizards were regarded as Gods of the night. The white gecko is tiny and is often found inside houses whereas the black lizard - piliuli - are found outside. Lizards are always good luck.’

Fatu Feu'u

(second commentary prepared by Fatu Feu'u and Ron Brownson, September 1 2016

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