Tattooing is a cultural practice with a long and complex history. It dates back to the Neolithic age, and has been found in various cultures throughout the world.
Tattooing is believed to have originated as a form of therapy and medicinal art in ancient cultures around the world. It is also a form of self-expression that can be traced back to the earliest times of human civilization.
Apo Whang-od
Apo Whang-od is a 105-year-old woman who has been tattooing tribal head hunters and women from the Butbut tribe in Buscalan, Kalinga since she was 15 years old. She is considered the oldest mambabatok (tattoo artist) in the world.
She specializes in batek, a traditional body art that involves tapping charcoal and water onto the skin using the thorn of a calamansi or pomelo tree branch. She uses this technique to create designs that depict strength, endurance, and fertility.
The process is very similar to that of a tattoo artist in the Western world, but she uses bamboo sticks that are a foot long instead of the traditional needles. She also uses charcoal to ink her clients and a thorn from the pomelo or calamansi tree as a tool to tap into their skin.
Unlike Western tattoo artists, she doesn’t use numbing cream to reduce the pain of her work. It stings a bit, but it’s all worth it when you have a unique piece of tattoo art on your body.
Her tattoos are not just beautiful but they also carry a powerful message. They can symbolize anything from beauty, fertility, and strength to endurance.
When she’s not tattooing, she takes care of her grandchildren. She explains that she enjoys spending time with them and seeing their smiles.
The tattoo industry considers Whang-od to be a pioneer, which is why she has been honored as the oldest mambabatok in the world. Her village of Buscalan is now a popular destination for tourists who want to experience the traditional style of tattooing that has been passed down through her family for generations.
She was recognized for her work by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in June, where she was awarded the Dangal ng Haraya award. Her work is a living part of ancient tribal culture and is a symbol of pride, honor, and resilience for her people.
She’s been teaching her grandnieces to be the next generation of mambabatoks and hopes that they will continue to pass down this tradition for many generations to come. She’s also a candidate for the Philippines’ National Living Treasures award, which will give her a golden medallion, grant of P100,000, and a monthly stipend.
Mambabatok
Mambabatok is a traditional tattoo artist from the Kalinga tribe of the Philippines. She is the oldest and last of her kind. She teaches the craft to women in her village, and keeps the tradition alive for generations to come.
Mambabatoks are a unique breed of artist who are skilled in using sacred magic for their art. They practice Buddhist, Hindu and animistic traditions prior to inking their subjects. They are known for their ability to bring luck and healing to their clients.
The oldest mambabatok, Apo Whang-od, has been in the business for 80 years. She is the last of her kind, but she continues to pass on her knowledge and skill to a new generation.
A mambabatok is a highly respected member of her community and she is revered for her ability to create beautiful, intricate tattoos. The art is believed to be an important part of the culture and is a symbol of strength and beauty for Kalinga women.
Traditionally, Kalinga women would be sent to mambabatoks when they were 13 years old to get tattoos on their bodies. These designs often depict centipedes or python snakes.
These tattoos are usually applied by hand and outlined with a dried rice stalk that is bent into a triangle. The mambabatok then dips the rice stalk into ink and gently taps it into the skin.
She typically works on men and women. But she has also been known to work on animals and birds, such as turtles.
In addition to being a tattoo artist, she is a Buddhist and a spiritual teacher. She is also a published author and has appeared on numerous television shows.
The art of mambabatoks is an ancient one, and they have long been considered a symbol of power and pride for the Kalinga people. In the past, these tattoos were used to enhance the status of warriors. They could be earned through killing an enemy of their tribe, or through chanting and fortune telling.
As the world’s oldest mambabatok, Apo is an integral part of keeping this art alive for her tribe. She also teaches the craft to a new generation of Kalinga women. She is also an accomplished tattooist, having worked on many famous people.
Kalinga Tribe
The Kalinga tribe of the Philippines is home to one of the world's oldest tattoo artists. Apo Whang Od is the last mambabatok and has been tattooing tribal warriors and women for over seventy years. She is a true master artisan and is renowned all over the world for her exquisite work.
The tattoos of the Kalinga tribe are a rite of passage for both men and women. For men, they represent courage and are a sign of being a warrior; for women, they symbolise maturity, fertility and beauty.
These intricate designs, known as batok, are applied to the skin with thorns and other natural tools. They are lace-like patterns of motifs including rice bundles, centipedes, and flowing rivers. They are also symbols of their bond with nature and are an expression of strength and fortitude.
Until recently, the Kalinga practice of headhunting was widespread, and these markings were earned on the field of battle. Today, however, headhunting is largely gone and tattooing is no longer an essential part of the culture.
With this in mind, Jake Verzosa traveled to villages throughout the Cordillera mountains of the northern Philippines to document a dying tradition of tattooing. His portraits of women who have covered much of their bodies in symbolic inkings over the course of their lives are poignant and stunning.
They are a form of self-adornment and a way to celebrate the individual's uniqueness, as well as their identity as a member of a certain tribe. For these Kalinga women, these intricate patterns were a rite of passage and a way to bond with their surroundings.
It was also a way to display their strength and fortitude, and to demonstrate their fidelity to their family and community. This form of body art is a beautiful example of how tribal cultures can be preserved and celebrated.
For centuries, the Kalinga people have adorned their skin with lace-like patterns that are a symbol of their bond with nature and the rites of passage they undergo. The practice has largely died out, but it is still celebrated by the youngest members of the tribe.
Philippines
Philippines is a country famous for its traditional tattoos. Known as batok, these tattoos are a part of the culture of the people who live there. It is a tradition that is almost extinct, but one woman is trying to keep it alive.
Maria Whang Od Oggay, or Apo Whang-od is a 103-year-old traditional tattoo artist from the northern mountain region of the Philippines, known as Kalinga. She is the oldest mambabatok, or traditional tattoo artist, in the world and is responsible for preserving an ancient art.
She has been tattooing people since she was 15 years old. Her artworks have been featured in television shows and documentaries.
Many tourists from around the world visit Buscalan village just to see her and get a tattoo. This is not an easy journey because it takes 15 hours to drive up to her home, which is a mountain village that is only accessible by hiking through forests and rice terraces.
To keep the mambabatok tradition alive, it is important that she passes on her skills to her grandnieces. They are trained to become tattoo masters so that they can take over the art.
When she is not tattooing, Whang-od spends her time gardening and collecting artsy oddities. Her hobby is also a way to relax after a long day at work.
The 103-year-old has been nominated for the National Living Treasure award, which is given to traditional folk artists who help preserve their culture and traditions. If she is awarded the honor, it will be a huge boost to her reputation and the Philippine tattoo community as a whole.
Her journey to keep her traditional art alive is a hard one, but it is worth it. Her tattoos are a testament to her dedication to her craft and have gotten her the recognition she deserves.
She is also a member of the Philippine Commission on Arts and Culture, and she is being considered for the prestigious National Living Treasure Award. If she is awarded this award, it will be the highest honor given to traditional Filipino artists.
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