HISTORY OF TRIBAL PATTERNS FOR TATTOOS

The history of tattoos extends back in time as far back as the recorded history of man himself.The most famous historical find having to do with tattoos was in the form of an Ice Age inhabitant known as Otzi, the Iceman. This dates back to 3000 BCE.When he was finally thawed out after all that time after being picked out of an ice deposit, he appeared to have at least 57 figures on his skin that we would today call tattoos. Mummies with tattoos wee also discovered in western China going back to around 1000 BCE. If we go back 10,000 years ago, tattooing in Japan was discovered during the Paleolithic era. Forms and shapes of tattoos were found to be of crosses, dots, animals,monsters, and various other things.

The modern word tattoo is derived from the Somoan word tatau. Tatau has the meaning to mark, or stike something. The work tatau has its origin from the diary of Captain James Cook in 1769. He made an entry in his book on his visit to the Marquesas Islands where he observed and described the ritual of the natives painting markingson their bodies and called them tattaw. It is believed that the practice spread to the civilized world when the crew of the ship returned to England. The rest is history.

It is believed that the very earkliest form of tattooing began with cuts and wounds on the body of cannabals that were rubbed with ashes and the skin was hand pricked to insert various dyes from plants. Ouch! It is not known if the wounds were intentional or naturally occuring. Does it matter! The hand pricking was most definitely done on purpose, probably by the use of sharpened sticks or bones.

The most common use of tattoos was to use ritual patterns for tattoos to form decorations on the body for ceremonies and to connote the passing of warriors into the after-life. They also served as a sign of rank and importance in the tribe. Tattoos were also used as symbols of spiritulism, worship, and function. Tattoos also had negative meaning, being placed on criminals, outcasts, and slaves.

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