Tribal Tattoos

Tribal Tattoos

It is thought that the first tribal tattoo most likely occurred completely by accident. Resulting from a fall into a fire causing a charred stick to penetrate the skin forever scarring the body. Many believe tribal tattoos were created as a way for early man to camouflage the body when hunting.

Tribal tattoos have been traced back to ancient times; the oldest ones were discovered on a Bronze Age man, found frozen in an Italian glacier. His mummified remains were exquisitely adorned with at least 57 tattoos resembling mythical creatures. 1500 Ice age rock carvings have also been discovered, featuring figures covered in tribal tattoos.

Tribal tattoos tend to resemble pieces of art from native and indigenous tribes. They can signify a clan or group of individuals sharing land and a sense of belonging. They may express ones personal beliefs or religious convictions, and are used to decorate the body and convey traditions.

Ancient tribal tattoos were most commonly done using a needle attached to a stick and by repetitively tapping into the skin. It is very important that they follow the proportion and contours of the body; the division of black and skin color must be well defined yet beautiful and meaningful to its owner. Tribal body art is designed to distinguish and separate various tribes or groups. Some of the most commonly used are the following,

Celtic Tribes

These ancient Celtic tribes inhabited Ireland and England. Their style of tattoo is represented by humans, birds, dogs, spirals and interlace designs.

Haida tribes (Indian tribes)

These tribes live in the North West. Coast of America. Their style is remarkably similar to their woodcarvings; bears, fish, and, beavers characterize their body art.

Maori tribes

To the Maori tribes, tattoos represent the ideal of mastering inner strength. This group of people originated in New Zealand, and disappeared by the early 1900.s. Maori tattoos are acknowledged by their very prominent use of full facial tattoo or moke. Full leg tattooing incorporating a spiral theme is also common. Designs were never duplicated between tribal members as these tattoos embodied the individuals identity and place in the tribe enabling family and friends to recognize and claim their loved ones after death.

Tattoos of Borneo

This style of tattoo is created mainly in black and skin color and represent the morals, beliefs, and social values of the tribe. Generally they represented what a member has accomplished or been through; scorpions, dogs, dragons, flowers and, spirals were popular themes.

Marquesan Tribe

These style of tattoos originate from the Polynesian Islands. They signify a language created as picture stories or symbols that represent the individual and or their place in the tribe or group, and allowed members to recognize each other. Some common tattoos favoured by the Marquesan tribe are shark teeth, which represents protection, shells symbolizing wealth, and various animals and symbols such as lizards, whales, and turtles.

The art of Tattoo crosses all cultures and boundaries and in some cases artists have virtually replaced the need for doctors or Shamans in the western world.