Traditional Tattoos

So one of my wishes since i first came down to Borneo was seeing authentic native Iban tribe tattoos, on the old people from the longhouses who was in the era of head-hunting and got their tattoos from that. I have especially been interested in seeing the tattoos the women of the longhouses got. And as i was sitting down having my laksa today i almost choke. I saw this old person with the underarms tattooed (traditionally also the most common place for the women to place the tattoo). The hair was long and it looked like a old woman with tattoos, my wish had become true, but i wasn't too sure so i quickly finished my meal and started my graceful not too obvious sneaking hunt. I got a closer look at the motif, it wasn't a motif a woman should have traditionally but it was an iban one, so it made me slightly suspicious and i had a look at the face, it was a man. Wah wah. Fail! Haha, well at least i got 10 minutes of excitement today.

"The practice of tattooing was a sacred activity that connected the people to the spiritual world. Tattooing was also linked to the men's success in headhunting and the coming of age amongst the womenfolk. Aside from symbolizing their social status, tattoos also enhanced the women's beauty. It is believed that the darker the color of the tattoo, the more beautiful the tattoo and the bearer is. Women were also tattooed as proof of their accomplishments in weaving, dancing or singing. Aside from these, the Ibans also bore tattoos for protective purposes as it is said to help ward off harm and disease." (the text is copied from www.borneoheadhunter.com )


a Penan. stretching the ears are more
common among the Orang Ulu (pictures
from the Sarawak Museum's decorative
art section)



Different tattoo designs are produced and certain types are considered appropriate for certain parts of the body. For instance, the circular design is for the shoulder, chest or the outer side of the wrist while a more elaborate and often larger design such as a dog, scorpion or dragon, is reserved for the inner and outer surface of the thigh. Among the Iban, one distinctive design is meant for the man’s throat (a "katak" frog). The reason for tattoing is many and obscure. In the past, when a man’s hand was tattooed, it meant particularly brave in war or that he had taken some heads.

There are also some documentaries been made here about just the traditional tattoos. One of them is now up on youtube if interested. It's called the vanishing tattoo i put up the first part here below for you. :)

Now Bindi seriously got some work to do... Painting... So later folks!