The Uniqueness And Meaning of The Dayak Tattoos

Indonesia is a country full of art and culture. When I search for material for my post this time I am amazed with Indonesia that is rich in art and culture, including traditional tattoo art. In my previous post I have discussed about the unique Mentawai tattoo. This time I will discuss about tattoo from Dayak tribe that is not less unique. Most Dayak tribes have tattoos on their bodies, ranging from young to old. So do not be surprised if you get into the Dayak community and meet old people who decorated various kinds of beautiful tattoos in some parts of his body. Tattoos that adorn their bodies are not just decoration, let alone to be considered pretentious. However, tattoos for Dayak people have a very deep meaning. Therefore, tattoos can not be made carelessly.

Ancient Dayak Tattoos

Dayak tattoos of antiquity were made by utilizing the surrounding resources. Soot from lamp lamps or charcoal pots and cauldrons, used as a dye. The ingredients are collected and mixed with sugar and stirred in such a way.

Thorns of orange trees that are long enough and the level of sharpness adequate, used as a tool to merajah.Duri can be used directly or clipped to a sprig of wood for the handle so as to resemble a hammer. The orange tree spines are dipped in "ink" with soot and sugar, then start the tattoo thrust into the skin according to the desired motif.

_{Image : Dayak Tribe}

If the motive is complicated, the process of bajaj can take all day. The puncture on the skin is bloody, swollen, and can cause a fever of 1 to 2 days.

In its development, traditional tattooing also uses needles. Initial materials of soot also begin to change with the availability of alternatives. Chinese ink as a color tattoo material, consists of two forms: charcoal and liquid. If in the form of charcoal, before use should be scrubbed first and mixed with water.

Traditional tattoos have only one color, namely a bluish black with a special form handmade. While the tattoos of modern times are much more tidy and colorful thanks to machine tools and ink.

_{Image : Dayak Tattoo Materials}

In terms of motifs, traditional tattoos are full of symbols and philosophies. Dayak mythology in the sketch shows the figures of living creatures in the form of abstraki. Placement of a motif in a body part, also has its own meaning. For the Dayaks, tattoos are more than just lifestyles. Tattoos on the body can explain a number of things: part of religious tradition, social status, appreciation of ability, treatment experts, or signify someone often wandering

Dayak Tattoo Meaning

There are certain rules in the manufacture of tattoos or parung, both the choice of images, the tattooed social structure and the placement of tattoos. However, religious tattoos have the same meaning in Dayak society, is as a "torch" in one's journey to the realm of immortality, after death. Therefore, the more tattoos, the "torch" will get brighter and the road to the realm of the more spaciousness. Still, tattooing can not be made as much as possible in vain.

_{Image : Rekong Motifs}

"Every Dayak sub-tribe has different rules in tattooing, and there are even Dayak sub-tribes who do not know tattooing tradition," said Mering Ngo, a Dayak tribe who is also an anthropologist from University of Indonesia.

Dayak war commander, Edy Barau, said that the motives used by the Dayak people, especially Dayak Iban to carve on the body are closely related to the natural life (forest) .Therefore, the motives are derived from animals and plants such as leaves, flowers , and fruit which all have meaning and meaning for the Dayak community.

_{Image : Edy Barau}

According to Edy, there are seven forms of tattoo motifs that are closely related and often used by Dayak Iban community. In addition to motifs, places or locations to be carved images also can not be careless. The seven forms of motive that is, rekong motif, crabs, grin, andu fruit, ngkabang flowers and eggplant flowers around the waist each has a meaning .

He explained, tattoos or carving rekong (neck) is usually carved in the neck. For Dayak Iban people who get rekong carvings are people who have the position of the community, such as Timanggong / Temanggung and Panglima or the elderly in their own hometown and in the place of wander.

_{Image : Eggplant Flowers Motifs}

Rekong motif, continued Edy, vary its form because it is adjusted to the position and position. In addition, between Dayak sub tribes with each other also has a different form of motive but has the same meaning. Motif rekong (neck) can be butterfly wings, creeping scorpions and crabs. The point tends to animal motifs form.

Dayak people who usually tattoos rekong in the neck is Dayak Kayan, Dayak Taman, and Dayak Iban. While the ordinary Dayak tattoo rekong in the neck will be subject to sanctions or customary punishment, but for now it is no longer because there are some see it as an art, he said.

How To Make Dayak Tattoo

Sewing needles tied into one pieces are usually seven or nine needles. The ends are bounded / tied threads for inner sizes into the skin. The base is made of wood, given the black color of charcoal lamps with coconut oil. Pasted to the body that will tattooed. The needle was knocked slowly, causing minor injuries that drained the white liquid. These injuries later become scars and when it has healed, the tattoo image began to look clear. As a result of scars is not uncommon to be a fever and scars also do not need to be treated.

_{Image : Dayak People Being Tattooed}

Caption Picture Tattoos

• The Puntul Telingkai is usually painted on the left / right side of the lower body of the covered area of ​​the loincloth (lenderstreek) meaning that the male sex is attached as a stimulant in sex.
• Tapak Bekang Jari is usually painted on the back of the palm of the hand as a sign has got tapat ridderorder van koppensnellers. When the left side has got two heads, and if left right, it has got seven heads. Tapat ridderorder van koppensnellers is a tribute to the head hunt in the Dayak tribe

_{Image : Tapak Bekang Jari}

• Telingai Besai mark many walk away (nomad) or nemuai.
• Kelatan usually neck is only for decoration or is a toy of women.
• Eggplant flower on the left and right shoulders on the back, as a sign of many long walks (wanderers) and the same as Telingkai Puntul, if there is on the back.

_{Image : Eggplant Flower Motifs On The Back}

• The cord strap on the wrist tattoo is just as decoration only.
• Gasing Rope on tattoo wrist is just as decoration only.
• Tebulun behind the palm of the hand on the thumb sign help or help in mengayau. If women are clever weave or diligent. Mengayau is a term in Dayak society to behead.

There's the uniqueness and the meaning of Dayak Tattoo from Dayak tribes in Borneo island, Indonesia. If anything goes wrong from my post please mention it in the comments. Hope you like it and don't forget to upvote and follow @AllAboutArts. See you next post guys...

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