Good to Know: Apo Whang-Od - The Living Legend
Mambabatok...
The Mambabatok is the Kalingan traditional name for the Hand-Poke Tattoo Artists. A style of tattoo that is given to Warriors symbolizing their accomplishments and their pride being warriors. Often times, these are also given to women more of as beauty markings coming from the Butbut Tribe.
This traditional style of tattoo has been present for thousands of years. A style that essentially built what we are today, a style that is integral to the human culture. A style that is truly heart breaking, if lost forever.
And I am sad to say that all that is lost, except for one, Apo Whang-Od. Gone are the days where warriors are present, whose battles are accounted for and celebrated. In the advent of the modern world, the Mambabatoks are all but diminishing. Without the Warriors, there is no longer any need for tribal tattoos, much less are those that are interested to learn the thousands of year old tradition.
Apo Whang-Od
Apo Whang-Od, hailing from Buscalan, Tinglayan, Kalinga, Philippines, is the last and the oldest "Mambabatok" (Kalinga Hand-Poke Tattoo Artist). She is from the Butbut tribe of a larger Kalinga Ethnic Group.
As early as 15 years, Apo Whang-Od, has been tattooing Warriors, Headhunters who earn them through battles, protecting villages or maybe even as a kill count. They earn them through the achievements they have that contributed to a better Butbut tribe.
Now, 100 years old, Apo Whang-Od is still seen exercising the art of the Mambabatok to the tourist that seeks her Tribal Art on their skin. Plenty of which includes the Kalinga as part of their travel itineraries in the hope of finding Apo Whang-Od available for a Tattoo Session. She is, even up to now, continuously celebrated for the living art form that she is.
Just recently, she was nominated to the National Living Treasures (GAMABA or Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan in Tagalog) and was received by the National Commission for Culture and arts on October 21, 2017 which is bound to be deliberated.
All is not lost
Despite the lack of need for Warriors to defend the Butbut tribe, the need to preserve thousands of years of culture is imminent. It is all up to Apo Whang-Od to pass on this tradition to her tribesmen, something that the descendants of the Butbut tribe need to defend - the loss of a tradition.
Apo Whang-Od never had a direct descendant. She never bore a child with her husband, Ang-Batang, whom she lost when she was 25, in a logging accident. But right now, there are 2 of her Grand Nieces, Grace Palicas and Ilyang Wigan and several other tribesmen that is already learning the ropes that is being spearheaded by Apo Whang-Od herself, in the effort to preserve this monumental part of our art culture.
A move that will ultimately restore the traditional art of the Mambabatok.
Finish Line!
I have always appreciated and respected tattoos but never really thought about having one. My husband @shote.said has always nagged me if he can get one, which I would often brush off. But knowing the history behind one of our very own, it allowed me to embrace the true art form that is exhibited by Apo Whang-Od being a Mambabatok.
Apart from this, having lived 29 years in the Philippines, never have we had the opportunity to travel to Kalinga which is located in the mountains of Luzon. Despite the serenity and the calmness of the mountain province, we have never even considered Kalinga to be part of our travel destinations list. All that is changing. After having learned and read about the life of Apo Whang-Od, and along with that, getting to know the beauty that is Kalinga and their Tribes, we may have to include Kalinga in the list of our must go travel destinations here in the Philippines. A destination that brings us back to what the Philippines was. A destination that goes back to our history books.
And maybe, just maybe, we could get a tattoo (even just a small bit) from Apo Whang-Od herself soon.
I really enjoyed making this and sharing this with you guys. I am starting to open myself getting a tribal tattoo after having went through the life of Apo Whang-Od (Or maybe just for my hubby @shote.said). But I hope you learned plenty about the Apo Whang-Od, and the Legendary Mambabatok that she is today. This is definitely another beauty of living in the history rich, Tropical Country that is the Philippines.
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Check out my previous Good to Know Articles:
• Good to Know: Tamilok (Teredo Navalis), A Philippine Delicacy
• Good to Know: The Philippine Tarsier (Carlito Syrichta)
• Good to Know: Lanzones (Lansium parasiticum), The Golden Bunch!
See you guys on the next Good to Know...
tattoos are symbol of pride for the tribal people...
Wow very beautiful such a wonderful post thanks for the sharing.