Women tattooing in India

photo courtesy Meena Kadri

In the tribal regions of India tattooing remains a widely spred tradition, especially in the central and northeastern regions of the country. It is interesting that the practice is more prevalent among women. In some communities tattoos are essential for marriage; in others the number of tattoos is indicative of the bride's economic status; and in some places a man will not touch or accept food from a woman who is not tattooed on her feet. The main purpose of tattooing, however, is protective, the tattoo acts as defense against the forces of evil that are  believed to be constantly active and attempting to gain advantage over the unprotected humans causing misfortune, illness or death.

Strange smiles of the Ainu women

Ainu woman, 1901, photo source

I have already written about the Ainu people costume and jewelry (here). And today's post is about another interesting feature that used to distinguish this ethnic group, particularly women. I am talking about tattoo. What was so unusual about the Ainu tattoo? Well, until very recently (the last fully tattooed Ainu woman died in 1998), Ainu women had black tattoos, resembling clown smiles, around their lips. And though Ainu women were also tattooed on the backs of the hands, wrists, forearms, eyebrows and forehead as well, their tattooed smiles were the most characteristic feature, and the most striking for any newcomer I would say.

Tattoo Convention: dress and accessories

This weekend the 4th International Tattoo Convention has being held here in Kathmandu. There are over 100 professional tattoo artists from 22 different countries at the event, so anybody who has dreamed about getting a tattoo by an artist from Japan, UK, Italy, France, USA, India can easily do that just by coming at the Convention, they all are there in one place. I have no plans of getting a tattoo yet but I did go to the gathering. Actually, this year it was my second time. The first time I attended the Convention two years ago. I see tattooing as a form of art, I enjoy looking at different designs that people inked on their bodies. I know many are still prejudiced against the tattooed persons, they associate them with criminals and violence. Historically tattooing was indeed done by criminals, sex workers or sailors. But it is not like this any more. Though some guys did look a bit tough there was not the slightest hint of rudeness in their behavior. All were polite, smiley, friendly. Nobody objected to being photographed.
At such event you expect at least some people would be dressed and accessorized a bit differently. Below are a few photographs of interesting outfits and accessories that I caught with my camera. And here what I wore for the Convention: black skinnies, a tiger print t-shirt and a hand-made bracelet-and-ring set.

Non-Hollywood smiles

photo courtesy Linda de Volder

Honestly, who of us doesn't aspire to possess the "Hollywood smile"? Shiny, pearly white even teeth are a dream of so many women and men. Such a smile is considered a major component of an attractive look. Uneven teeth of dubious whiteness no one would call beautiful, not to mention the lack of several teeth. So we spend lots of money on whitening toothpastes, leveling plates, and on regular visits to the dentist'.
However, there are places out there where white teeth smile is not considered beautiful at all, but on the contrary, the holders of such smiles risk to stay lonely and never get married.

Stretched ears, a symbol of beauty and high status

photo credit Eko Prianto/CIFOR

The Dayak of Borneo used to be easily recognized by their very much stretched earlobes. In the baby age their ears were pierced and small brass rings were placed in the holes. Then very gradually more and more rings were added with time which caused the earlobes to stretch more and more and the holes bigger and bigger. The more stretched earlobes a woman had the higher status she had in Dayak society (because usually the most stretched ears would have the oldest women). Besides the status thing the stretched ears were considered beautiful. But it is a dying practice now, younger women don't want to do this anymore.