ANY ONE WHO CARES FOR TATTOOING SHOULD DO IT . IT IS AFRICAN AND FOR THE AFRICANS .The history of tattooing in Africa dates back thousands of years. Until Otzi the Iceman was discovered, the oldest known tattoos belonged to the mummy of Amunet, a priestess of the goddess Hathor somewhere between 2160 BC -1994 BC. The designs found on her mummy, were believed to be symbols of fertility and rejuvenation. Traditional tattooing in African culture is not a mere expression of ones individuality. It is a series of intricately designed patterns that carry major cultural implications, where the body displays the strength of the inner character. Tribal lineage, maturity, spiritual protection, political/social status and personal strength are all indicated through the art of African tattooing. The most common and known method of tattooing involves ink, which is practices worldwide today. The other and lesser known method of tattooing is that of scarification, which is still practices, though less frequently, in certain tribes of Africa and rarely in the Western world. Egyptians began ink tattooing as far back as 5,000 years ago.Unlike other African cultures, Egyptians limited the practice of tattooing to women. After the discovery of Amunet Kanika, priestess to the Goddess Hathor who lived between 2160 to 1994 B.C., new light has been shed upon the significance of the tattooed women of Egypt. Female mummies who bore tattoos were found in burial sites reserved for women of high social status. In the Nubian tradition, men and women were tattooed, men for protection in war, and women for blessings and protection during pregnancy. A dark pigment, usually soot, would be mixed with a womans breast milk or oil and would be applied to the wound for color.
Posted on: Sat, 28 Jun 2014 02:05:38 +0000
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