+ the body’s appearance by
shaving, piercing, tattooing,
and adornment clearly
differentiated beauty from
beast. The Roro of New
Guinea perceived the
untattooed man as “raw’—
biologically existent but
socially undeveloped. Some
early First Nations people of
the Northwest Coast
disfigured the malleable
foreheads of their newborns
by attaching a board to
them. This high dome-
shaped deformity was
intended to identify them
from neighbouring tribal

peoples.
Religious and supersti-

 

Rachel! Griffin Photo

tious beliefs often led to the
use of tattoos dS a
means of identifica-
tion or protection in
the after-life. Con-
versely, it was spiritual
beliefs that declared them
evil and taboo. Until facially
scarred on the cheek at
eight weeks of age, the
Aowins of Southwest Ghana
did not consider an infant to
Officially belong to this world;
unmarked, he could return
at any time, they thought, to
the spirit world from whence
he came. Biblical Cain,
banished from the land of
his father for murdering his
brother Abel and forced to

a tattooist at work and observe his or
her technique. Public health concerns
about tattooing practices have natu-
rally multiplied with the increasing
awareness of AIDS and other commu-
nicable diseases such as hepatitis and
herpes. Tattooists today promote
newer, more efficient sterilization
techniques and equipment in an effort
to restore respectability to their trade.
Look for the latest equipment and most

become a restless wan-
derer, pleaded and the Lord
put an identifying mark on
him to spare his life at the
hands of neighbouring
peoples. Christian crusad-
ers had a crucifix or religious
image marked on their
chests to ensure a Christian
burial should they be lost in
battle. The Romans permit-
ted tattooing until it was
banned by the Christian
Emperor Constantine who
said it violated God's
handiwork.

Medical images were
deemed to be good luck.
Shamans, traditional

medicine men, designed continues on next page...

“curative tattoos to

thorough sterilization procedures.
Tattooing equipment makes a continu-
ous buzzing sound. Can you stand the
sound of a thousand stinging bees
while you’re being needled?

Talk to tattooed people. Some glow
with pride; others shrink back with
shame. Keep an eye out for tattoos.
Notice the design of tattoos, their
colours, whether they blend with the
musculature, whether they have faded

or sagged with aging.
Yes, Sherlock, skin does
age. Seems that it’s not
immune to the pull of
gravity.

A 35 year old lady |
spoke to had a tattoo
brandished on her hip
when she was younger.
Three children and
numerous stretch marks
later, the tattoo had

    

heal individuals of
diseases based upon
what appeared to
them in dreams.
Even the choice of
colour held special
significance. Red,
from iron-bearing
clays, repre-
sented blood,
fertility, or mor-
tality. Black,
derived from
charcoal or berry
juices, signified
impurity or evil.
White, from clay
or ash, denoted