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Tattoo Anthropologist

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February 9, 2019

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Previous article MO NAGA: TATTOO REVIVAL IN INDIA

larskrutak
Howdy peeps! I have not been posting AT ALL so I c Howdy peeps! I have not been posting AT ALL so I can keep my focus on completing my next book. Thankfully, I will begin the last chapter shortly, and later this week I am putting the finishing touches on the lengthy Naga chapter. Which reminds me.... ** I had seen a photo of U Shel Maw (Macham Naga tribe, Myanmar) published in the book 'The Naga of Burma (2006)'. There, he was described as a “headhunter” because of his neck tattoos. But I soon learned this was not the truth. When I visited his home in 2014, he told me: “My grandfather and father were great Macham headhunters and warriors. And as their descendant, I was given the honor to carry on his prestige through the same tattoo patterns they once wore.” I showed his picture from said book, then he laughed. "I never spoke to whomever took my photo." Then he laughed about his "headhunter" status. ** Tip of the day: Looks can be deceiving! ** BTW he was hand-tapped by a female artist... ** #naga #nagatribe #myanmar #family #ancestors #ancestorsspeak #blackworktattoo #tribaltattoo #sagaing #headhunter #honor #nagaland #asiantattoo #tattoohistory #indigenouspride #familypride #warriors #lahe #tattoopride #ancienttattoo #tattoo
Pleased to announce more of my collaborative Naga Pleased to announce more of my collaborative Naga tattoo research is going to press later this year in the following volume. Updates forthcoming... ** 2021 “Hüh tu pu / To Mark with Tattoo: Chen Naga Tiger-Spirit Tattoos and Indigenous Ontologies in Northeast India.” In Tattoo Theories: Analyzing the Tattoo Across Disciplines (J. Martell and R. Larsen, eds.). London: Palgrave Macmillan. ** PHOTO: Chingham Chatrahpa of Chen Loisho village, Nagaland, 2019. © Lars Krutak (FYI his facial tattoos were hand tapped by an Anghya, or wife of the village leader (Angh), but his neck tattoos by a man, which was customary among the Chen) ** Drawing on anthropological research among the Chen and Konyak Naga of India (2010, 2018, 2019) and theoretical work in semiotics, this chapter explores the textual and ontological status of an Indigenous tradition of bodily inscription in South Asia. ** Keywords: Tattooing; Konyak Naga; Chen Naga; Indigenous ontologies; Nagaland; India ** >>Stay safe out there!!<< #konyak #nagaland #nagaland_northeast_india #nagalim #india #tattoo #ancienttattoo #blackworktattoo #blackwork #tribaltattoo #asiatattoo #indigenous #warrior #tigertattoo #tiger #spirit #tigerspirit #semiotics #ontology
Just wrapped up my interview for @designerskinmovi Just wrapped up my interview for @designerskinmovie in Chicago with @northwoodsrevolution. Time to celebrate with an Old Style! * “DESIGNER SKIN” coming to you in 2021...I think you’ll love it! * Watch the trailer here: https://vimeo.com/413394119/f3b1cb24e9 * Stay safe out there!!
As the end of this year draws near, 2020 was not i As the end of this year draws near, 2020 was not ideal for anthropological fieldwork, apart from the highlight and exhibition opening of TATTOO at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow (March 2020). But here are some production photos from one episode of our crowdfunded project @patterns.of.life.documentary * This ep was filmed in Nagaland in November 2019 and focuses on Konyak / Chen Naga tattoo traditions; it also features the last "tiger-spirit" tattoo bearers (there are only three). Our main man is centenarian and former warrior Chen-o Khuzuthrupa of Hoyang (pictured here with filmmaker @michael_zomer). I am including a 9-second rough cut of one of our interview scenes with Chen-o, who will later speak about his tiger-spirit tattoo (back); he is accompanied by his lovely wife Pongkhao Anghya. Also in this scene is my esteemed friend and all around amazing person author/translator/entrepreneur/travel companion Phejin Konyak @konyak_tea_retreat (pic’d with tattooed Deacon Honggo Wangshu) * Due to COVID, production on Patterns was suspended in 2020 (but not the editing for 2 eps which are nearing completion). We look forward to subsequent eps scheduled for filming in 2021 - the groundwork for the next ep has been laid and we will transport you to an incredible place to learn more about ancient traditions of therapeutic tattooing. * Sincerest thanks and gratitude are also in order for our friend @chenngam_konyak / Chenggam Khuzuthrulymn Konyak for making our Nagaland stay a memorable one. * In 2021 I will publish a new book chapter focusing on the tattooed tiger-men of the Chen Naga, which has been completed. There is no way I could have written this piece if it were not for Chenggam's assistance, not to mention the knowledge and collaboration of his grandfather Chen-o! * Oh, and my new book (234 pages & counting!) features a more lengthy record/chapter re: all Naga tattoo traditions, a topic I have been studying in the field since 2008. Enjoy! * drummers: Sh. Chinglong + Chennyem; neck tat2 Chingkei Sokompa #nagaland #konyak #tattoos #documentaryfilm #ancienttattoo #tigertattoo #tiger #indigenous #warriors #spirit #tattooed #blackworktattoo #india
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