INDONESIAN

TRADITIONAL TATTOO

INDONESIAN TRADITIONAL TATTOO

Director                         Dr. Nadjamuddin Ramly

Coordinator                  Ahmad Mahendra

Members                       Ruliah Hasyim

                                        Gentur Adiutama

Writer                             Herman Jusuf

Editor                              Elfiana R. Sutikno

Graphic Design              PT. Polagraha Pramedia

Photo credits                1.  Herry Bertus Sikaraja

                                        2.  Aman Durga Sipatiti

                                        3. Rahung Nasution

                                        4.  Dimdim Komara

                                        5.  Mohammad setiawan

                                        6.  Moonstar Simanjuntak

                                        7.  Yohanes Kurnia Irawan

                                        8.  Kent Tattoo

                                        9.  Susi Mohamad

                                      10.  Barry Kusuma

                                      11.  Shutterstock

Publisher                     Directorate of Heritage and Cultural Diplomacy

                                      Directorate General of Culture

                                      Ministry of Education and Culture the Republic of Indonesia

 THE DYING LIGHT

In the face of modernization and change, traditional cultural practices are challenged and become increasingly eroded and

weakened among the newer generation of cultural bearers. Tribal groups and traditional societies are slowly succumbing to influences

outside their group and embracing new values, norms and leaving behind those of their ancestors’.

Modern education and religion, as well as contact with modern societies play a pivotal role in the disappearance of traditional cultures and lifestyles, such as those of the mentawai in West Sumatra and the Dayak of Kalimantan.

Christian and Muslim missionaries who ventured into the land of the Mentawai and Dayak brought with them their monotheistic faith. They regarded the animistic beliefs and practices of the indigenous people as pagan and sometimes inhumane.

Among the Mentawai, tattoos or titi, which was once a symbol of their identity and their ancestral beliefs af Arat Sabulungan, is rapidly disappearing as today’s Mentawaians adapted to modern lifestyles and leave behind the traditions and beliefs of their forefathers. For the Dayak, tattoos traditionally, were intricately connected to their traditional religious values, and an important part of adat or customary laws. As their connection to these basic values changed, so has the importance of tattoos in the modern lives of the Dayak people.

Every year, the Dayak living in and around the town of Pontianak, West Kalimantan hold a GAWAI event to celebrate a bountiful harvest and the Dayak come in their traditional costumes. In these pictures, young men looked resplendent in their traditional attire and some were marked with traditional Dayak motifs, such as the eggplant flower, as well as more modern images of skulls, buildings and evenimages of divine figures.

Today, tattoos have become more popular in Many parts of the world, including Indonesia. Tattoos are as much about self-expression and personal beauty than they are about keeping tradisional social and religious values alive. Many who mark their bodies use images that are universal in nature or are moretraditionally-inspired.

However, in an attempt to preserve traditional Indonesian art and the traditional tattooing culture of some of Indonesia’s ethnic groups, several notable Indonesian tattoo artists have dedicated their energy and creativity to bringing back this tradition and introducing it to the world. In the process, assisting tribal clans in retaining their original culture.