traditional hawaiian tattoos
Tattoos have formed an integral part of the culture of Western Polynesia. In that sense, the Hawaiian culture is no different with regard to the importance it accorded to tattoos. The first recorded mention of the Hawaiian tattoos is in the works of Freyainet and Kotzebue expeditions where many lithographs display the presence of these tattoos.
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The primitive method of tattooing on the body is fascinating. In fact, the mythology behind the art regarded this having been taught by the sons of the God of creation and as a result the process of tattooing itself formed an elaborate ritual that had to be shown a degree of reverence. The tools used for tattooing in Hawaii in the earlier times were all borrowed from nature, a far cry from the technologically advanced instruments used today. Some of the most commonly mentioned tools used for tattooing were - birds' beaks, claws, fish bones etc. |
The tool of choice was then slit into two-three sections and then fixed upon a stick. This was then dipped in the dye and the “tattoo needle” was run over the body. It was also gently hit at the same time by a two-feet long stick. In fact, it is believed that the name tatau (contributing to tattoo) comes from the sound made while doing this. Understandably the procedure was quiet painful and also risky in terms of the possibility of contracting an infection, yet this was such an integral part of the Hawaiian life that to not get it done would have amounted to challenging the societal norm. The dye used for tattooing was derived from nature, such as the popular concoction of the burnt remains of the kukui nut mixed with sugarcane juice resulting in black ink. Other plant juices were also used - mixing the juices of the leaves of the Hawaiian iris and fruits, Hawaiian pokeberry plumbag some of which were slightly poisonous.
To grasp the role played by tattoos in the traditional Hawaiian culture, one can begin with the semantics. The literal translation of the word for tattoo in Hawaiian is uhi, meaning a covering. This hints at the scope of the importance it would carry in a society especially in terms of defining hierarchy.
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The symbolism of tattoos was as a benchmark of privilege whereby the quantity and intricacy of the design indicated one’s status. Unlike how tattoos are perceived today as symbols of irreverence and alternative lifestyle, Hawaiians regarded more tattoos on a man’s body as signs of achievement and status. The detailed tattoos were done by the highly skilled artists; an exclusive preserve for the chiefs and their families while the rest of the population and women got it done by the apprentices. |
The tattoos of women were less extensive being limited to the hand, arms, feet, ears and lips.
Other symbolic reasons for which the tattoo was used - cosmetic purpose, slaves were tattooed as a sign of punishment and women got it done to during mourning to display their loyalty for the departed one. Tattoo designs were also done during auspicious occasions and in many cases the individual's aumakua, the family or personal god was tattooed for protection. Patterns such as reeds or other natural forms, graced men's arms, legs, torso and face. Women were generally tattooed on the hand, fingers, wrists and sometimes on their tongue
In terms of the design element, there is a marked difference between those done before the Hawaiians came into contact with the Europeans. In this period, the designs were geometric with liberal use of lines, circles etc, whereas after the arrival of the Europeans the influence displayed itself in depiction of pictorial objects such as goats, guns etc.
One can gauge the importance of this ritual in the Hawaiian way of life by the fact that the resurgence of interest in tattooing in Hawaii is seen as the final indicator in the renaissance of Hawaiian culture.
Traditional tattoos had a variety of significant roles in the lives of the Hawaiians ranging from as a mark of high rank, ornamentation to a spiritual gesture. A very important of their life they are a great tool for understanding this ancient society, its rituals, norms and the way of life. It would not be misplaced to say that tattooing was an evolved art form for the Hawaiians who used this as a symbol which codified the basics of their society – hierarchies, religious and spiritual moments. It is also fascinating to observe the shift in the way tattoos are regarded in the society now, but even more fascinating is the fact that their basic function for which they were used in the Hawaiian society as ‘codes’ communicating information about the one who had them still remains.
They are symbolic of a certain lifestyle - the type of tattoo (ex. Prisoners’ tattoos are almost like notebooks recording their lives, discussions about celebrities’ tattoos), their association with a world of rebellion; and this just goes to show how tradition still endures though its manifestation might have changed dramatically.
Editor Sakina K
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