Ancient Art of Tatooing in PNG (Melanesia)

Mostly in the southern region of Papua New Guine,women of these tribes had tattoos all over the body, while men had tattoos on their chest indicating successful headhunting. After WWII tattooing almost disappeared.

Girls from five to seven years old had tattoos on their hands. Older Girls had facial tattoos and on lower abdomen down to the knees. Older Girls had tattoos on armpits and throat. Later, at puberty, the back was tattooed. Before marriage V shapes were tattooed down the neck. A girl without all these tattoos could not get married.

As a needle they used a lemon branch twig. Pigment came from candlenut.

(song ,MB Lewa)

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