Body Art Series #2

In the Philippines' Kalinga tribe, there is a tradition that has been practiced by their women for many years. This is popularly called "batok" meaning the art of tattooing your body with tribal designs using bamboo sticks and thorns. Usually, women who have reached the right age are allowed to get tribal designs to enhance their beauty. Headhunting as a means of settling scores is a prominent feature in Kalinga heritage. Only men who have killed or shown outstanding valor can receive tattoos.

The process of getting hand-tapped Kalinga tattoos involves simple tools: the thorn of pomelo tree, soot from kitchen fire mixed with water, and two bamboo instruments - one for fitting the thorn, another for tapping ink into the skin. The design is laid out using strips of grass dipped in ink.

Stairs, like those crisscross (rice terraces) is a common motif, as are the ears of rice, centipedes and pythons.

6000x9000px
20x30"
300dpi
1/1 edition
hand drawn on Procreate app