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Tattoo Anthropologist

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July 11, 2015February 11, 2018

TATTOOS ARE A KIND OF LITERATURE

Tattoo News

INSET: Kayan tattoos, ca. 1930. Photograph by H. F. Tillema.

Here’s an idea. Tattoos are a kind of LITERATURE.

If you know how to read them, says anthropologist Lars Krutak, they tell you many things about the person who wears them.

For the Calgary Herald online story, please click here…

Or read the article excerpt below>>>

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Previous article THE INDONESIAN NEW WAVE: TATTOOS FROM PARADISE
Next article BOOK LECTURE: TATTOO TRADITIONS OF NATIVE NORTH AMERICA

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  • Kamareira Te Hau Takiri Wharepapa of Ngati Horahia, Nga Titoki, Ngapuhi of Northland, ca. 1920. He traveled to England in 1863 and met Queen Victoria. His moko is over painted to accentuate his facial tattoos which were chiseled into the skin. His hei tiki (necklace) seems to be purposefully turned away from the viewer, perhaps so the mana of the piece would not be affected by the photography. Unused postcard from my collection. #maori #maoritattoo #tattoo #tattoos #culturalappreciation #portrait #heritage #moko #newzealand #warriors #indigenous #blackwork #blackworktattoos #tattooing #traditionaltattoo #polynesiantattoo #tatouage #tatau #tiki
  • Wetani Rore, A Maori Chief of Ngati Maniapoto & Ngati Kahungunu, ca. 1910. The short lines on his forehead may indicate he was a teacher of weapons. He wears two types of flax cloaks and holds an ornate hand club or wahaika. Postcard from my collection. #maori #maoritattoo #tattoo #culturalappreciation #portrait #tattoos #heritage #moko #newzealand #traditionaltattoo #culturalheritage #warriors #indigenous #blackworktattoo #tattooing #tradition #polynesiantattoo
  • 90+ year-old Leichat Wangnao, a Konyak warrior of Joboka village, Nagaland. Mr. Wangnao is one of only two tattooed Konyak warriors living in his village - the other is 103-year-old Ashen. He took his first head at the age of 14, and acquired three more over the course of his career. The faded zigzagging lines tattooed on his wrinkled arms tally the total number of successful military campaigns he participated in - four. The symmetry of his facial tattooing created a perfectly clear diamond on his nose. All of the tattooing was performed by a female artist, a queen (anghya) of the village. Photo on location, May 2018. #konyak #nagaland #india #warriors #warrior #warriortattoo #hero #indigenous #culture #traditionaltattoos #traditionaltattoo #heritage #blackwork #headhunter #elders #wisdom #asia #portrait #travelphotography #tradition
  • Countdown to the upcoming exhibition GREY IS THE NEW PINK (opening: October 25, 7pm) at the Weltkulturen Museum, Frankfurt! PHOTO: 102-year-old Atayal elder Iwan Kaynu. "Facial tattoos were the mark of an ideal woman," she said. #weltkulturenmuseum #taiwan #atayal #culture #ageinggracefully #ageing #pink #traditionaltattoos #beauty #traditionaltattoo #asiatattoo
  • The legendary, late great headman of the Skrang Iban Aki Basai and his WWII veteran buddy Jentang (background, both Iban Rangers) of Emperan, Sarawak (Borneo). His magical eyebrow tattoos made women fall into his arms - no kidding! Treasured ikat pua kumbu's hang on the back wall, 2002. #borneo #iban #asiantattoo #malaysia #skrang #indigenous #veteran #heroes #rangers #traditionaltattoos #blackwork #magic #eyebrows #culture #photography #tattoo #ikat #facetattoo #wwii #warriors #tradition
  • Anita, the best basket weaver of Bugnay village, Kalinga, Philippines. #kalinga #whangod #philippines #blackwork #weaver #indigenous #travelphotographer #portrait #portraitphotography #tattoo #tatuajes #tatuagem #tatuagemfeminina #traditionaltattoos #traditionalart #womenempowerment #womensfashion
  • The late Khiamniungan warrior Chelia who earned his extensive tattooing for eight victories in hand-to-hand combat. Noklak village, Nagaland. He also helped save American airmen in 1943 when their C-47 Skytrain crashed near his village. #nagaland #khiamniungan #india #tuensang #warrior #hero #indigenous #portraitphotography #portrait #tattoo #tattooed #tatuagem #veteran #headhunter #traditionaltattoos #blackwork #wwii #skytrain #travelphotographer
  • Mentawai shaman Aman Toshi, Siberut Island, Indonesia. #mentawai #mentawais #siberut #indonesia #indigenous #traditional #traditionaltattoos #portrait #portraitphotography #travel #travelphotographer #tattoo #tattooing #blackwork #shaman #flowers #sacred #magic

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