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continuing my thoughts with this project...

looking at tattoos. tattoos have a long tradition not only in certain cultures, almost in all. all over the world. supporting the thought that they didn't originate independently.


Tattoos --> scared symbols; history; rank; sexually alluring; beauty; political 

many tribes in today's world use tattoos as a way rank in their specific tribes. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

for instance.. this woman is from a tribe called FULANI; originally from Africa. she is considered one of the most beautiful women in west Africa and not just by the men but the women too! in my personal opinion i do not find this attractive and i appreciate female beauty; but then again i havent grown up in western Africa and gone through a very painful process. I hope she is seen attractive after going though what she has been through lol. 

 

maori tattoo covering the entire face. also known as BLACKWORK. Maori tattoos are completely unique to their tribe and are extremely detailed. 

as you can see in the image to your right, the Maori inspired tattoos have emphasis on the natural beauty of the eye. the intricut detail is very sexually alluring in this close up image. 
i love focusing on eyes, they really do have a lot of power; persuasion being one of them - love it.


another tribe that evokes cultism that i find fascinating are gypsies. originally coming from India and spread through Persia, Turkey, Arabia, Egypt, Greece, and through much of Europe. To this day, many women in the Near East have hand and ankle tattoos thought to be Gypsy in design, often a universal symbol meaning a traveler. This symbol represents tribal pride and is significant in maintaining their cultural identity throughout their travels, and is characteristic of true Gypsies.







 the tradition of tattooing was forgotten in certain parts of the world but brought back with research into different parts of the earth. No wonder then that in our times, tattoos have often been linked up with sailors who copied what they saw in other countries and then developed a tattoo subculture of their own.   
There were, and still are, many reasons to wear tattoos – both tribes and people that copy them. They can be a sign of belonging to a certain group or tribe but also of exclusivity or being different. Tattoos are worn as sacred symbols, as 'talismans'* or to ward off evil, for religious reasons.

*powerful influence on human feelings or actions







the Ainu, the primitive people of Japan, mouth tattoos were common even on women as well. As a mark that grew with the age of the wearer, the mouth tattoo started as a small spot on the upper lip that was gradually grew in size by applying soot to do so. Also among the Ayatal, one of Taiwan's indigenous tribes, do traditional facial tattoos for men and women symbolise maturity, but during Japanese rule, this tradition was forbidden.