The Mentawai Tribe has a deep philosophy and culture, including the meaning of each tattoo that is part of the Mentawai Tribe culture. Read more here.
Photo by Life Folk:
Tattoos are often negatively stigmatized in society, but what if they are part of a tradition? The Mentawai Tribe from West Sumatra has a distinctive tattoo tradition integral to its identity. Their bodies are covered in tattoos from head to toe, with each motif representing a specific philosophy. Furthermore, Mentawai tribal tattoos are among the oldest in the world. How did this tradition originate?
1. History and Origins of Mentawai Tattoos
Source: Photo by Oncy Oni
James Cook first documented the art of tattoos, or rajah art, in the Mentawai tribe in 1769. The Mentawai tribe is recognized as a Proto-Malay nation originating from mainland Asia or Indochina around 1500 BC-500 AD. Similarities to Mentawai tattoo designs can be seen in the Dongson cultural arts in Vietnam and several tribes in Rapa Nui, Hawaii, the Marquesas Islands, and the Maori tribe in New Zealand. Based on these records, Mentawai tattoos are considered the oldest in the world.
2. The Meaning and Philosophy Behind Tattoos
For the Mentawai people, tattoos are not just decorations but have deep philosophical meanings. Tattoo motifs reflect the identity and social status or profession of the owner. For example, a Sikerei shaman has a different motif than a hunting expert. Hunters tattoo their bodies with images of captured animals, such as deer, monkeys, pigs, crocodiles, and birds, while Sikerei shamans have Sibalu-balu animal tattoos on their chests.
3. Simbolisme dan Identitas Sosial
Source: photo by Oncy Oni
Tattoos are unique, with motifs like lines measured with a finger. They serve as a marker of social status and symbolize natural balance. Animals, plants, and stones are often depicted in tattoos because they are believed to have souls. Chest tattoo motifs vary by gender, with women typically choosing designs like Subba or Tangguk that reflect river fishing activities.
4. Tattoo Making Process
Source: Photo by Oncy Oni
The process of Mentawai tattoo-making consists of three stages. First, at 11-12, tattoos are started on the arm. Second, at 18-19, tattoos continue on the thigh area. Third, after age 19, tattoos are added to the ribs, palms, feet, and navel. This process begins with an initiation ceremony led by the Sikerei and attended by the community. The sipatiti, or tattoo artist, uses a stick to draw the motif before tattooing with a patiti (wooden-handled needle.
5. Traditional Tools and Materials
The tools used for tattooing are all traditional. Lidi is used to draw motifs, needles are made from sharpened animal bones or Karai wood, and dyes are made from sugarcane and coconut shell charcoal. After tattooing, the reddened skin is treated with kukui nut leaves, rubbed until smooth, and applied to the wound to prevent infection and swelling. The tattooing process can be time-consuming and painful, so it can be postponed for a month if one part has already been tattooed.
6. Diversity of Tattoo Motifs
Source: Photo by Oncy Oni
The tattoo designs of the Mentawai tribe reflect the expansion of the Mentawai people into different areas. In the Siberut region, the tattoo patterns are similar to those in Sarereket due to the location of the Siberut River's source. In the Saibi area, the designs are the same as those in Simatalu, West Siberut. The design variation corresponds to the locations along the river where Mentawai communities were established in the valleys.
Mentawai tattoos are art and a rich and deep cultural identity, reflecting their relationship with nature and complex social structures.