Dayak tattoos Essay Example

are several rules to consider before getting a tattoo including its placement on the body of the wearer and the social structure of the tribe that the tattoo design represents. It is also important to choose appropriate images.

Therefore, tattoos cannot be created carelessly as the meaning behind the motif can be completely distorted if done haphazardly. It should be noted that most tattoo designs are inspired by the Kenya tribe style. The Kenya style of tattoos is derived from the wood-block stamp technique where patterns are carved into blocks of wood and then transferred onto the skin. These tattoo motifs have been spread to other tribes like the Ban and Kenya and have been adapted to suit their tribe's preferences.

I enjoy tattoos because they can have their own meaning and specific placement on the body. Many tattoos depict elements of nature, which is associated with the connection between nature and humans. Additionally, the Days believe in animism, where spirits inhabit everything including animals, lands, and humans. Some groups incorporate nature-inspired images in their tattoos, combining floral motifs with plants that have healing or protective properties, as well as strong animal symbols.

Figure 1: Bung uttering motif tattoo
The Days have a particular tattoo motif known as the bung uttering, which represents the flower of a local plant called barbering. Typically, this design is the first tattoo that young men around the age of 16 choose to get. The two swirling flowers are symmetrically placed beneath the collarbone's outer edge. The swirl in the center of the motif is called the 'Tall Anyway,' meaning 'rope of life,' and is designed to resemble a tadpole's underside, representing

new life.

The "burning engage" or horntail tattoo motif is reserved for noblemen. Only select individuals are allowed to have the horntail tattoo because hornbills are considered sacred to Borneo and are seen as messengers of the war God Lang. Therefore, only those who have achieved honor and success are deemed worthy of receiving this tattoo.On the Days Canaan women, there are tattoos known as "teak us'" that cover their entire arms, and "teak happy" that cover their thighs. There is also a tattoo design called the "Song Iran" found on the hands of Days women, which consists of black spikes running from the knuckles to the finger joints. The horizontal lines behind the knuckles are called 'Igor'. Another common tattoo motif on the thighs is the "tuba root" or "tussah tuba'", which resembles an abstract letter A and is found below the horizontal line around the calves. Close to these lines on the calf, there is a degraded anthropomorphic pattern called the "nag killing".

For men, there is a tattoo design called the "integument" that can be done on their hands, but only if they have beheaded a foe. This tattoo represents immortalizing their triumph in a man-to-man death match with their enemy by tattooing their hands and fingers with a special design. Throat tattoos, known as "Quirk Reckon", are used to toughen the neck skin and prevent it from being taken by rival head hunters. One common motif in throat tattoos is the "Kate motif".

Among the popular motifs for skin decoration, scorpion and crab tattoos are highly desired. In the Days community, tattoos on the knees are rare; however, one particular design known

as "twang bong ass" can be found on both men and women. This design forms a circle from the knee to the calf and resembles a snake but actually represents a tail-less dog. Interestingly, this design can also be found as engravings on Days sword blades. While the designs of Days tattoos differ among tribes, their meanings remain consistent.

What fascinates me about Days tattoos is the traditional method that is rarely seen today. Unlike modern electric tattoo machines, traditional tattooing involves using materials from nature like a hammer-like stick and a wooden staff with thorn needles made from orange trees. To create the tattoo ink, soot from lamps or charcoal substances from pots and pans is mixed with sugar. The tattooist then dips the needle into the dye and rhythmically taps it into the skin using a hammer-like tool.

The tattooing process can be seen as a test of strength and endurance due to the pain involved. An assistant is always present during the process to help stretch the skin for a well-filled and detailed design. The fact that the Days use materials from nature highlights their reliance on nature as humans. Furthermore, the reasoning behind getting tattoos goes beyond visual attractiveness. The Days have various reasons and symbolism behind their tattoos, one of which is to signify a rite of passage. An article by Sharon Guying explains how tattoos symbolize adulthood for the Ninja Days people on the Indonesian section of the island of Borneo. An adolescent boy from this tribe embarks on a solo hunting adventure, armed with a blowgun and poison darts, in search of wild boar or monkey, which are favorite

foods among his people. The Journey is often perilous.Based on the story narrated, it can be inferred that tattoos served as a symbolic representation of the transition into adulthood. They marked a significant milestone in one's life, allowing them to fully participate as a member of their community. This initiation process also signified new beginnings, such as the attainment of certain roles or responsibilities. For instance, in the Days tribe of Kenya, young males would receive a tattoo at the age of 16, marking their entry into adulthood and personal accountability. Similarly, young females would receive a tattoo after their first period, signifying their maturity and recognition of their rights and duties within the community. The "Teak Osaka" tattoo, specifically adorned by adolescent girls in the Days Kenya tribe, covered their entire legs and was exclusively reserved for adults. This particular rite of passage tattoo was a visual representation of a woman's journey towards maturity.An important point to note is that for women's tattoos, customary ceremonies are held in a special home. During the tattooing process, men are not allowed to leave the house, and the woman's family must observe various taboos to prevent any harm to the woman and their family. In Borneo, there was a historical practice of head hunting, where a boy would become a man by successfully cutting off his enemy's head. This achievement would be commemorated with a 'Batik' tattoo, symbolizing his coming of age and transition into manhood. Additionally, becoming a father is also seen as a significant milestone for obtaining a tattoo, as it signifies entering the next phase of life as a guiding father. According to Ban

beliefs, if a person's illness cannot be cured by a shaman, a name changing ceremony is performed. As part of this ceremony, the afflicted individual may receive a new tattoo near the wrist, symbolizing a fresh start in life and the eradication of evil spirits. Thus, tattoos can represent themes of death, life, and new beginnings for an individual.

A tattoo is used in the Days community as a symbol of empowerment and status. Women in the Days community display tattoos on their thighs to indicate their high rank and membership in noble families. The design, known as 'soloing legal', resembles a Geiger shaped face. The number of rings around their calves also signifies their social standing, with more rings indicating a higher rank. In the Yak Canaan community, intricate tattoos were exclusive to powerful and wealthy women who could withstand any negative magic associated with the designs. Slaves were not allowed to be tattooed, reinforcing the connection between aristocracy and tattoos. Lack of a tattoo in the Canaan community signifies inferiority in the social hierarchy. The Days tattoo, particularly the "engage" or horntail tattoo, is reserved for certain individuals, further reinforcing their higher class status.

The tattoo work for the nobility is more refined and detailed compared to middle-class individuals, known as "Payne." In my opinion, tattoos represent social class because the process of getting a tattoo is a form of sacrifice and can be painful. It is seen as an achievement and respect is given to those who have tattoos. The higher-class individuals in the Days community are considered elite and people in this community get tattoos as part of their religion. They view

tattooing as a holy act and a way to show their devotion to God. Another reason for getting tattoos among the Days is their belief that it has spiritual significance. They worship spirits and consider them highly important. Days women believe that having tattoos on their hands and feet helps protect them from evil spirits and keeps them under the Almighty's protection. They even seek guidance from spirits when choosing a tattoo design, believing that spirits can match the design with the individual's personality and capabilities. Tattoo designs sometimes come to the artist in dreams, guided by spirits. Additionally, the soot or powdered charcoal used in tattoos is believed to repel any malicious spirits.

Some tribes enhance their tattoos by adding charms made from animal bones or pieces of meteorite to make them more potent. One example is the tuba root motif tattoo, which invokes fear in evil spirits. The tuba plant, when crushed, produces a poisonous juice that is used to immobilize fish, making it a protective symbol. Another tattoo, the bung uttering motif, is placed on the shoulders like a backpack and safeguards the wearer against evil spirits as they navigate through life.

The bung uttering motif also provides strength and protection throughout the wearer's journey, during which they seek wealth, knowledge, and fame. Wrist tattoos known as linkup prevent the soul from escaping the body and represent protective ancestor spirits. Only those with tattoos are believed to overcome the biggest challenge in the afterlife, facing the spiteful guardian of the bridge over the River of Death called the 'Maligning'. The tattoos illuminate and guide them through the darkness to the other side

of the bridge and into eternity. The number of tattoos determines the number of lights on their path to eternity." Tattoos symbolize an individual's skills and expertise in hunting or warfare for men.

The tattoos awarded to women recognized their skills in weaving, dancing, or singing. For example, a tattoo around the fingers indicated their role as healers for the tribe. The number of tattoos on the arm represented their level of expertise in healing. Warriors also had tattoos, with those displaying exceptional courage in battle having them on the right shoulder. Those with lesser skills had tattoos on the left arm. These tattoos were used to portray their identity as warriors or headhunters. The bung uttering motif tattoo showed the places they had traveled to and their assistance to other tribes rewarded them with additional tattoos. These tattoos acted as a map of their accomplishments and indicated the number of villages they had visited. In the Days culture where head-hunting was significant, tattoos served to showcase participation in these expeditions.Days Canaan men are only tattooed if they have engaged in head-hunting, which they refer to as "managed". These tattoos, found on the upper part of the thumb, indicate the individual's experience in head-hunting and their value within the tribe. The Days Ban tribe shares a similar belief that the soul resides in the head, so by decapitating an enemy, they adopt their soul. The individual gains the victim's abilities, power, and status. Upon returning from a successful head-hunting expedition, the Days Ban men would receive tattoos of anthropomorphic animals on their fingers. The tattooing practice holds great importance in Days traditions, leading to a series

of sacred ritual ceremonies. One such ceremony performed by the Ninja Days tribe involves offering to ancestral spirits through the sacrifice of a chicken or other fowl, with its blood spilled. Only after a period of chanting can the tattooing process commence. Additionally, there is a coming-of-age tattoo ritual where men dress in bark cloth made from the mulberry paper tree. These tattooing procedures were not conducted in the longhouse itself but in specially constructed huts.Like the Ninja Days, ceremonies are also held before tattoos are given in the Days Kenya community. In this community, when a man gets a tattoo, all the males in his family must wear men's underwear called "cat" and are not allowed to leave the house. Violating these restrictions puts the life of the tattooed man at risk. Conversely, in the Days Canaan community, a ritual called "meal mammal" is performed the night before a Canaan woman gets tattooed.