Their tattoos would also symbolize ancestral lineage and tribal affiliations. In those same communities, men were tattooed to either become or show they’re warriors and protectors of the tribe. These tattoos would mark a women’s sexuality, ancestral lineage, tribal affiliations, and so much more. Women were known to be the main tattooists in tribes, as well as wearers of tattoos, which is information rarely presented in the modern discussion.įor example, tribe women In Japan, Iraq, Taiwan, Bosnia, Papua New Guinea, North Africa, and South America would perform rituals applying the tattoos on other women. In tribes around the world, tattoos were also a way for women to establish themselves in the community. And, once the hair has grown, the slave was sent to find the captive and show them the tattoo/message. The tattoos were carved onto the slave’s shaven head. This practice originated in the 6th century BC when the Greeks would send messages during warfare to their kin in captivity. Many European tribes would use tattoos to secretly send messages. Over the millennia, tattoos have become the means of information sharing as well. For example, the Vikings were known to carve the ‘blood-eagle’ on their backs every time they conquered an enemy. Then, people and cultures shifted from this idea and started using tattoos as a mediator between mythology and humans. In the majority of the ancient cultures, like the Greek culture, tattoos were first practiced on barbarians, as a form of the symbolism of their inferiority compared to the other members of the society. Ancient people all around the world, from Europe to Polynesia practiced tattooing as a form of status expression, role in the community, and ancestral lineage in most cases. What we know so far about tribal or tattoos, in general, is that they are a practice that is thousands of years old. So, let’s get started! Tribal Tattoos: Historic Insight In the following paragraphs, we’ll take a look at tribal tattoos, their history, and the incredible tattoo designs. The designs you wear are someone’s culture and history, so we all have to be aware of that and admire/wear those designs with the utmost respect. Therefore, if you’re thinking about getting a tribal tattoo, without heritage in a certain tradition, it is essential to get educated. Traditional tattooing is nowadays boiled down to tribal designs that many people don’t even know the meaning of, or where they come from. For these people, tattooing isn’t just body art, but rather a deep-rooted tradition that is, unfortunately, dying out in the modern-day and age. Tattooing has historically been a common practice in all indigenous people around the world.

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