Edward Smith Fatu was a well-known American professional wrestler who rose to prominence under the ring name Umaga during his time with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). He was a member of a prominent Samoan wrestling family, Anoaʻi. Fatu was discovered by his wife at their Houston, Texas, house on December 4, 2009, unconscious and with blood pouring from his nose. Paramedics confirmed Fatu had a heart attack, and they were able to restart his heart, despite the fact that he exhibited no symptoms of brain activity. He was kept on life support for much of that sad Friday before suffering a second heart attack and being pronounced dead. This post is our dedication to his fans who were crazy about his body tattoos. Let us explore them together.
1. “100 % Samoan” Tattoo
Tattoo: On his left hand, Umaga had a very unique and special tattoo that said, ‘100% Samoan’.
Meaning: Umaga belonged to a renowned Samoan family and this tattoo was his dedication to his rich culture, background, and his link to them. Samoan culture tattoos are the best way to reflect and demonstrate society, authority, position, esteem, and integrity, and most importantly, they are used the way by Samoans to reflect that they belong to this specific community.
As per the beliefs, there is a trend among Samoans to get their tribal reflecting tattoos inked when they grow up. Also, as a matter of fact, most activities in Samoan culture are done in groups. As per many families and their ancestral beliefs, people may sleep up to 20 people on the ground in the same house.
2. Tribal Arm Tattoo-Left Arm
Tattoo: Covering his left shoulder was a tribal tattoo.
It is said that this tribal arm tattoo was Umaga’s dedication to one of his favorite cousins, Eki Umaga who had passed away young.
“It all revolves around our cousin Eki – Umaga. At the time, he was a big WWE Superstar and he passed away way too early, but he was the one that was the fuel behind us getting tatted up. He had this lady back in Pensacola that was kind of hooking him up, giving him a little bit of a discount here and there, and he was getting a lot of work done at the time. He was just showing her different prints and trying to give her the heads-up of our culture, the customs, the patterns, and the sequences that kind of fit and how they mold together.”
3. Skull on Chest-Right Pec
Tattoo: On his right pec, there used to be a tattoo of a tribal skull with red eyes.
A Skull tattoo may symbolize multiple things like evil, death, and also a dead loved one, who is no more alive. Besides, some people also get skull tattoo to reflect their love for mysterious and evil things.
Now, we just wonder what could have been the reason for Umaga.
4. ‘SAMOA’ Tattoo
Tattoo: It seems to us that Umaga had great respect and love for the only fact that he belonged to rich Samoan culture and was their descendent.
Thus, goes another tattoo that we could see as per our research i.e., ‘SAMOAN’ that was inked across his stomach.
5. Left Arm Tattoo
Tattoo: Umaga’s left shoulder tattoo was undoubtedly a tribal creation inspired by the basket weave design. He had revealed that it was a very immature decision and he had got it while playing football in college. He was often made fun of because of his shoulder tattoo and Usos used to call it Roman’s “shoulder pad.”
6. Left Leg Samoan Culture Inspired Tattoo
Tattoo, Umaga had the famous Tatau tattoo across his lower left leg, as per the Samoan culture.
Samoan tattoos, known as tatau in Samoan, are kind of the Polynesian tattoo which became famous during WWE. According to Samoan traditions, Tatau is a popular male tattoo that signifies that the tattoo wearer is now ready to achieve maturity and position as a respected member of society.
As mentioned, tattoos are an integral component of Samoan culture that acts as a mark to acknowledge the person as mature. This may sound intriguing but, do you know that individual cannot just go and get the tattoo. He must customarily seek approval from his elders for his tattoo request, and once authorised, it is a proud time for him and the family, as when he is set to get one.
7. Left Pec Tattoo
8. Right Arm Tribal Tattoo
Tattoo: Quite similar to his left arm, Umaga had a tribal tattoo on his upper right arm too.
This is what Umaga quoted for his painful tribal arm piece.
When I did the arm I did it Wednesday, and Thursday, and I was back out Friday. I literally flew out that Friday and was wrestling. We did a Shield six-man [tag team match] against Sheamus, John Cena, and Randy Orton, and at the time Sheamus was rough in there. It felt like he was killing my arm. I had to Saran-Wrap the whole arm and then throw Under Armor sleeve over it, and luckily it worked because, we were in the Shield, you know, the tactical outfits. But yeah – it was a crazy week, for sure.”
9. Left wrist tattoo-Tribal Band Tattoo
Tattoo: Umaga’s left forearm was wrapped with a tribal armband tattoo design.
Meaning: Such tribal band inks are a way to symbolize strength, continuity, and understanding.
Parents’ Portraits
Umaga was quite close to his parents and his wrestler siblings, Rikishi, Sam Fatu. His body tattoos included the portrait of his father (Vera Fatu) on his right forearm, whereas, on his left, there was a tattoo of the portrait of his mother (Solofa Fatu).
10. Portrait on Right Arm-Father of Umaga
11. Portrait on Left Arm-Mother of Umaga
12. Writing on Neck
13. Old Ink-Rose on left Pec
14. Tattoo on Right leg
