The History of Tattooing, Piercing, and Body Painting

The History of Tattooing, Piercing, and Body Painting

Tattooing

Tattooing dates all the way back to the Egyptians.

Samoan. Samoan men were traditionally tattooed from waist to knees. Samoan women were tattooed on their thighs and knees, but using more delicately feminine designs. Samoan young men were tattooed between the ages of 16 to 18 years old, in a group puberty ceremony that served to reinforce societal authority. In battle, tattoos were thought to grant supernatural protection. Samoan tattoo artists used combs to apply the design. They would dip the comb in a mixture of water and candlenut soot and then tap the comb with a stick, causing the pointed teeth to puncture the skin.

Maori. While Samoan men favored covering the lower parts of their bodies with tattoos, Maori men of New Zealand preferred to adorn their buttocks, thighs, and faces with tattoos. Maori men were tattooed by an artist of "moko," a technique unique to the Maori. The pattern was literally carved into the skin with a chisel. Ink would be placed in the open cuts to generate the tattoo. Beginning at the onset of adulthood, the particularly painful process, was typically completed in segments. Maori facial tattoos were indications of authority and status, intended to make an impression and intimidate, especially in times of war. Since each pattern was unique, men's facial tattoos became part of their individual identity. This procedure was painful, and resulted in a lot of facial swelling. There was so much swelling that the individual could not eat normally. Constructions of Funnel-like feeding tubes were made to aid in eating. Tattooing of Maori women unlike the men was restricted to their lips and chin. Unlike the facial tattoos of Maori men, facial tattoos of women were executed with a toothed comb.

Africa. Throughout Africa exists the tradition of scarification. Scarification creates a raised pattern on the skin and is similar to tattooing when dye is used. Scarification is a painful process that African girls go through when they reach puberty. Once a girl reaches puberty, she is also ready to be married. Scarification assists by making her more beautiful and helps her snag a mate. The patterns are also regarded as testimony that the woman will be able to endure the pain of childbirth!

Americans use tattooing as a form of expression. They usually pick something that is representative of their personalities or a symbol of some meaning. I have actually decided to get a tattoo and it took me almost a year to figure out what I wanted a tattoo of. I decided to go for a pumpkin which represents my grandma and my boyfriend because my nick-name is pumpkin. It will also probably say something inspirational like carpe diem or something in French. Now it will probably take me just as long to figure out where I am going to put it on my body. I first got the idea when I was working with cadavers and there was this 80 year old women and since I am also donating my body to science I just want something to remain of my personality.

Piercing

Piercing is interesting for me because I work at Club Libby Lu in Woodfield and about a month ago I was trained on piercing ears. It blows my mind that little girls would want a sharp piece of metal plunged into their ears. Just seeing how much pain and crying there is before, during, and afterwards it kind of blows my mind that people would do this voluntarily. For most American girls this process happens before the age of seven. I did pierce a 2 month olds and I believe that is the best age. That way they won’t remember the trauma!

Asia. Throughout Asia, we can also find examples of stretched earlobes that come from wearing extremely heavy earrings. Don’t even get me started on gauging!! If there was anything someone would regret when they hit middle age, it would be gauging.

Eskimo. Eskimo men and women increased the size of their lips by using lip-plugs. These plugs gradually stretch the hole in the lip. Often labrets were so bulky that their lips hung downward, revealing their teeth and gums. Even larger labrets sometimes interfered with speaking and eating.

Popular piercing today include tongue, ears, nose, lip, neck, and naval. I know at least 7 people with tongue rings, and almost all my female friends have their ears pierced. I know one friend who got the back of his neck pierced. A few months ago, I went with my friend Melissa and actually held her hand while she got her naval pierced. It was at moment I also had the epiphany that I will NEVER get anything other than my ears pierced!!

Body Painting

Body Painting is the most ancient and direct method of corporeal decoration. There are many reasons we paint our bodies. It is a form of identification, ritual, or beauty.

New Guinea. For the woman of New Guinea, body painting is a means of conveying social messages about her identity with a group.

In America the most popular types of Body Painting is face painting and a little industry we call cosmetics. Cosmetics are made to high light our assets that we are proud of and correct our no-so-wonderful faults. Cosmetics can also set a mood. Darker more sultry cosmetics can take us from professional business woman to our knock-out-night-on-the-town look.