What Are The Tools Used In Filipino Tattoos

Noted! Exploring Tattoo Culture in the Philippines with the Final of the Kalinga 'Mambabatok' - Apo Whang Od

March 5, 2021

xv Hours is what separates a secluded village and its people from the anarchy of Manila, and this very separation is what has helped to preserve the art and aboriginal do of hand-tap body art. High up in the mountains of Buscalan, a small village far north of the bustling upper-case letter of Manila in Bontoc province resides 103-year-old Maria Oggay or Whang-Od, who is more commonly known as the oldest living tattoo artist, the last of the native Kalinga mambabatok.

Origins

Mambabatok, which can exist loosely translated every bit 'person who hits/taps' are traditional stick and bamboo tattoo artists of the Kalinga people.

The traditional practice of hand-tapped body art began with the Kalinga head-hunters and Butbut warriors thousands of years ago. Men were only able to get a tattoo after they had killed another person in combat- information technology was a sign of strength, ability, a sign of authority and masculinity.

For women of the Kalinga, information technology was the complete opposite- tattoos were a sign of beauty and the more tattoos that adorned your body translated to how cute you were perceived.

The do of Mambabatok- derived from the Tagalog word of Batok, translates to hit or tap– which is the repeated action Whang-Od performs with her bamboo tool to permanently compose and embed intricate and traditional designs that boast meanings of power, family, strength and cede.

In that location are no machines. No tattoo guns. Information technology is as simple as a thorn from the pomelo tree leap to a bamboo stick, string for stencilling, a mixture of coal and water for the ink and of course, patience and a steady paw. In that location is no numbing foam– you may get a towel to bite down on if you're lucky, but that certainly would get a giggle out of Whang Od as she repeatedly embeds the ink coated thorn into your pare.

Whang-Od began practising the art of Mambabatok at a young age and is the oldest living tattoo artist of the Kalinga people. Whang-Od does not have children of her own simply has started to pass downwardly lessons of the traditional fine art to younger generations of her ain bloodline equally the Kalinga believe that the tattoos will become infected if the tradition is passed downwards to people non of the same origin.

People from all over the globe accept begun to hear praise of the small Kalinga lady and her steady fist and make the 15 hours expedition up to Buscalan from the main metropolis and hike upward the mountains to visit her. The Mambabatok process is non for the faint of heart, simply it is surely an eye-opening and one time-in-a-lifetime feel. You tin meet it through the depths of her optics and the intricate designs that mark her body that Whang-Od holds many stories of warriors past and provincial life– her tattoos tell the story of her people and help to keep the traditional practise live.

A tattoo is a permanent story etched on to your torso that yous are able to carry with you for the rest of your life. Many people get tattoos to signify unlike events in their lives, people they've met and often symbolize things they do not desire to forget. A tattoo is more than simply a pretty design– information technology is a permanent reminder of stories that we cherish and memories that nosotros want to keep close.

Looking to get Tattooed by Whang Od? Here's What You Need to Know

Get a Guide You Trust

The offset pace you must accept on this long journeying is booking a walking tour guide that you tin trust during your time in Buscalan- substantially without a guide, there volition exist no tattoo for you lot. Your guide will non but aid you lot find your mode upwardly the mountains to the village only as well act as an interpreter and cultural guide for you lot throughout your stay. Buscalan is a small-scale remote hamlet with lilliputian to no cell phone or internet service and so yous will need to come to rely on your guide for multiple things on your visit
We suggest joining several forums and this Facebook group for more information on how to visit Buscalan. This Facebook group, in detail, has members who have been tattooed by Whang Od herself and will directly you to the active and trustworthy guides available in Buscalan

Getting to Buscalan

Keep in mind this expedition is not for the faint of middle- to go to Buscalan from Manila information technology is an over 15-hour trip involving a charter bus and tons of hiking and walking to go to your final destination- so bring your best attitude and foot forrard!
In gild to get to the Kalinga Village of Buscalan from Manila, commencement, you will need to become to the province of Bontoc, which is approximately 9 hours from Metro Manila
Hopping on to an overnight bus from the city to Bontoc is your best bet and will set you dorsum around PHD 150-200 (approx. $6.00 CAD). The overnight bus leaves at around i-2 p.1000. each 24-hour interval so make sure you are well packed and prepared the nighttime before in order to catch the motorbus
The charter motorcoach will take you to an off-beaten path correct well-nigh the hiking trail where you will then run into your guide. Proceed in mind that you volition not be able to leave the bus and go to Buscalan village without a guide. Fees for guides will range from between PHD chiliad-2000 per day/grouping, depending on the specific person
Conceptualize at least a forty-minute hike upwards the mountains to get to Buscalan- that is if you can resist the urge to finish and have pictures of the breathtaking views up the mode
- Bring water and dress appropriately for both the conditions and amount of physical activity you will be doing

Finding Accommodations and Staying in Buscalan

Don't look any hotels or motels up in Buscalan, as you will be primarily staying in villager's homes and homesteads– be respectful and understanding of their holding
You will get pillows and blankets and if yous're lucky a mattress or pad to sleep on
- We advise bringing a banig , which is a mitt-woven traditional rollout mat usually used to slumber and rest on is East asia. It is calorie-free enough to sling over your shoulder or secure on to your backpack on the trek up
Villagers may charge you lot PHD 100-200 for your stay and depending on the household that may include food or not
- Nosotros propose bringing your own groceries so you can melt your ain meals and h2o then equally not to deplete the dwelling of their ain resources

Getting Tattooed and Coming together Whang-Od

This one goes without maxim; notwithstanding, you should remain calm, understanding and utterly respectful at all times. Be respectful of her space and she will respect you
- We recommend showing your respects by giving her some small gifts: things such every bit salt, matches, pastries and sweets will go a long fashion in showing your kindness and gratitude
- Exist respectful and understanding of her time: Whang Od is 103-years-old- yous are running on her fourth dimension
Traditionally, warriors and women would not choose the placement or design of their tattoo, having that decision left to the Mambabatok. Warriors needed to earn their tattoos.
- However, nowadays, the decision is left up to y'all and yous can choose from a lath of pre-prepare designs
Tattoos volition range from between PHD 500-1000, depending on the size, placement and intricacy of the blueprint

What to Keep in Heed

Be a responsible and respectful tourist: villagers asking that you lot do not visit if yous will simply exist staying for ane-ii days, delight be respectful of their dwellings
- Do non contribute to the growing litter trouble- leave with what you came with
Keep a good attitude and be respectful of the culture and its traditions
Take some time and get to know the villagers- the all-time way to connect is through sharing stories
- y'all volition not only acquire so much almost the Kalinga people but you will make and so many meaningful connections and friendships during your visit