Role of Tattooing for Indigenous People Across Asian Cultures

Kalinga (📍Philippines) headhunting warriors were given chest tattoos to indicate their success on headhunt.. Atayal (📍Taiwan) headhunters were given facial markings.

Weaving is “women’s war” for the Iban tribe (📍Borneo)— both hazardous physical and spiritual. Master weavers are marked with “head of bracelet” tattoos.

Women of the Ainu Tribe (📍 Japan) have lip tattoos to repel illnesses from entering the body via the mouth.

Kayan (📍Borneo) woman have specific motifs tattooed on forearms that act as protection against evil spirits encountered in the jingle and as torches after death.

Women of Dulong tribe (📍China) has their face tattooed to prevent being kidnapped during tribal warfares.

Men of Iban tribe (📍Borneo) receive Bunga Terung tattoo, on bejalai as they go on journey abroad search of wisdom and fortune.

Women of Atayal tribe (📍Taiwan)receive face tattoos to signifies chasity and readiness for marriage.

Some tattoos among Arab women (📍Iraq) were done to induce pregnancy, prevent miscarriage, accelerate healing.

The purpose of modern day tattooing is often for personal empowerment. But tattooing for indigenous people is a ritual that stems from strong sense of tribe. It is impossible for to summarise Indigenous Tattooing, above is rigid and condensed notes of my own work in progress understanding on the topic.