BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – Celebrating the role of women in tattoo and culture, the Museo Kordilyera recently hosted the “INKheritage: Women Tattoos and Cultural Identity in the Cordillera” at the University of the Philippines- Baguio.
This event aimed to encourage all women to preserve cultural practices and empower them in shaping their evolving roles in contemporary society.
“So InkHeritage, tungkol siya sa identity natin as women sa kultura ng pambabatok. Dahil alam naman natin na when it comes to pambabatok, hindi lang naman lalaki ang nambabatok, because originally lalaki ang nambabatok dati. So, let’s encourage our fellow women para mas maengganyo pa sila na i-preserve pa natin ‘yung ating kultura in any form, mapabatok man ‘yan, mapa-form of craft like weaving or anything,” said Ammin Acha-ur, a ‘mangwhawhato’ or traditional tattoo practitioner from Kalinga.
In her talk, Acha-ur talked about the history of traditional tattoos in Kalinga, exploring the symbolism, method and meaning of tattoos that carry the identity of Cordillerans.
Women before got tattooed for fertility, healing and protection. For the men, as a symbol of bravery. She said that this is also a form of preserving the culture of the region.
Nowadays, tattoos are often for body decoration.
Acha-ur is a traditional tattoo practitioner and cultural worker in Dap-ayan ti Kultura iti Kordilyera, a musician and an actor. Her lifelong journey as mambabatok started in 2016, and significantly influenced many individuals with her legacy in culture.
Her inspiration not only embarks on preserving the identity and tattoo tradition but also addresses the stereotypes of gender in terms of tattooing.
“Sa mukha ng kababaihan na specifically na nambabatok, ngayon kasi nakikita natin ang dami ng mga mambabatok na babae which is hindi siya pangkaraniwan in a sense na hindi siya norm. Kahit naman sa mga machine tattoo artist, commonly na nakikita natin ay mga lalaki. So, it’s about women empowerment din at the same time na ang pagiging isang mambabatok ay hindi lang siya pagdadala ng kultura kundi isa rin siyang form of women empowerment,” she pointed out.
During the event, Hiromi Kiswa volunteered as the first client of Acha-ur and she shared her experience.
“Pinapili ko po ‘yung artist, ang sinuggest ko po ay for protection since I am a frequent mountaineer and a trail runner. Nagustuhan ko po ‘yung pinili ng artist for me na snake skin. It’s a symbol for protection sa Kalinga. So, this is technically my first time, traditional pa po nakuha ko, so it is a very enlightening experience,” she said.
Achaur continues to serve as inspiration among women in preserving the culture, tradition and identity of the Cordillerans. (JDP/DEG/Esperanza De Guzman- PIA CAR – BSU Intern)
