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Tattoo Anthropologist

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August 4, 2018

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Previous article TATTOOING RETURNS TO BELLONA, SOLOMON ISLANDS

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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
Tattoo in Japan is not a medical act = legal accor Tattoo in Japan is not a medical act = legal according to high court ruling today...hurrah!
The writing train continues...but so too does the The writing train continues...but so too does the reading. This great little book on Ryukyuan tattooing (hazichi/hajichi) just arrived from Japan and was republished this year to go along with an exhibition on this little documented (ie, English language publications) ancient tradition by lensman Hiroaki Yamashiro & author Namihei Isono who grew up with tattooed aunties. * The Ryukyuans formerly created medicinal tattoos ...and Herber’s 1928 paper contains some interesting thoughts re: the origins of the practice from N. Africa which are applicable to other cultural traditions of medicinal marking. * Another forthcoming project is an edited volume by Palgrave on the tattoo. My esteemed colleague @mattlodder is contributing a chapter on the art history of tattooing whereas I am writing-up a piece on the visual language of tattooing in reference to Chen Naga “tiger spirit” tattoos among the last three bearers of this ancient tradition (> we documented this tradition while filming @patterns.of.life.documentary in Nov. 2019 and can’t wait to share that project with you when ready!). * These projects will be published/aired in 2021. Updates forthcoming...and stay safe & healthy out there! #ancienttattoo #berber #ryukyu #ryukyuan #hajichitattoo #japantattoo #tattoomedicine #morocco #tatouage #tatouagefemme #irezumi #blackworktattoo #tigerspirit #tigers #nagaland #naga #tattoos #tatuajes #asiatattoo #indiatattoo #tribaltattoos #spiritualtattoos #konyak #visualanthropology #anthropology
Sorry for the radio silence, but spending any free Sorry for the radio silence, but spending any free time on my next book & here is a rough excerpt from it...Let’s now travel to N. Vietnam for a brief moment to learn about Katu tattoo traditions. ** The French scholar Louis Bezacier documented ca. 1950 that Katu forehead tattoos (padil yaya, “Dancing Woman”) were physical manifestations of the human soul and offered protection from lurking spirits. In Katu belief, the head was the seat of the soul which might leave the body during sleep, sickness, and/or dreaming. The soul exited the head through the ear and traveled to a “second world” where it could be harmed or captured by spiritual entities. The tattoo acted as a type of “sentry” in the present world, since through its physical manifestation on the body any malevolent spirit visiting the present or “first world” would be led to believe that the individual’s soul was close at hand. In turn, the tattooed individual was believed to be in a wakeful and healthy state, rather than disembodied in the second world where it was susceptible to spiritual danger. ** Other writers have suggested the tattoo marked the way home for the soul after it had traveled to the spirit world. Bezacier added that the padil yaya tattoo also activated the possessor’s intelligence, will, and wisdom, so that the person would embark only on successful enterprises. Generally speaking, village leaders and warriors were the recipients of the padil yaya tattoo. ** Other researchers now argue that the “dancing lady” has a deeper significance because it ultimately symbolizes “Grandmother Rice,” a major agricultural deity in the Katu pantheon. When compared to the choreography of the traditional and sacred padil yaya dance, however, the characteristic features of the tattoo motif can be deciphered. During the dance, which is held prior to agricultural (i.e., rice) and other significant annual rites, the hands of the female performers face the sky in an attempt to petition the gods of heaven and the earth for their favors: especially an abundant harvest and community prosperity. ** #vietnam #katu #dancinggirl #tattoo #blackworktattoo #facetattoos #asiatattoo #tribaltattoos #tattoos
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