A History of Tribal Tattoos
Tattoos have been a part of many cultures for centuries. However, the
modern tribal tattoo trend comes out of the Polynesian islands.
Specifically, they come from a fascination with the Maori tribes. The
Maori frequently tattooed their bodies as a symbol of social status.
They were even known to ink their entire faces. When European explorers
saw these tattoos, they too wanted to partake in the tradition. Upon
returning to their homes with the designs, the trend began to spread,
and continues to expand today.
Of course, the Maori were not the first or only people to participate in
tattooing. In fact, some of the earliest accounts of body inking come
from the ancient Egyptians. Without modern technology, the first tattoos
were done with natural inks and skin piercing needles. Each dot of ink
had to be done individually in a slow, and rather painful, process. The
pain, though, was part of the entire experience. Tribal tattoos were not
simply adornments; they were also a recognition of strength and
maturity.
The real rise of the modern tribal tattoo trend, though, did not begin
until the 1980s. An article in the tattoo magazine, Tattoo Time,
featured native tattoos from the Pacific islands of Samoa and Borneo.
Those who picked up the magazine became inspired, and as more people in
the Western world opted for these designs, the body art trend grew.
Today, many people still choose tribal tattoos that reflect their
cultural heritage. Among the most popular are Native American, Latin
American, and Celtic images. Those with Native American ancestry
frequently choose tribal symbols or spiritual totems for their body art
designs. Additionally, those of Latin American heritage may choose to
adopt former Aztec images, most commonly the tribal sun. People of Irish
decent often choose Celtic designs to adorn their bodies. The most
popular tribal tattoos of Celtic heritage are crosses.
We owe much to the early tribes of tattooed individuals. In fact, the
very term tattoo comes from the Polynesian term for the practice “tau
tau,” which reflects the sound of the tattooing process. Tribal tattoos
helped people feel as though they belonged. Even now, many people still
see tribal tattoos as a way of professing membership to some group. The
act of getting a tattoo is, essentially, a rite of passage into a global
community of people who sport body art. By getting a tribal tattoo, a
person gains a sense of belonging. Thus, they see their body art in much
the same way the very first tattooed groups would have
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