ive seen this. and ive done as much research as i could. and the only evidence of ancient filipino tribal tattooing is nothing as intricate.
I've seen pictures of these old Filipino men and women. They can get quite intricate.
Now, I grant you that the tattoos seen on the Mark of the Four Waves' site can get much more intricate than the two pieces I have posted here. I think that's cool.
If I were to get one, I'd want the piece to reflect myself as much as it did my ancestors. To accomplish that, I would want my piece "updated," or incorporated with designs that reflect who I am today, as a Filipino-American in 2008 Chicago.
You may be seeing something similar to this happening in the Four Waves' work.
and no real meanings have been proven for those designs. the actual "tribal" tats done by the tribes that actually practiced them were but mere designs.
What do you mean by "proven?" There are historians apart from the Four Waves organization that believe these tattoos had many meanings. Kalinga women were tattooed to enhance their beauty. Men were tattooed after after a head was taken, or to signify age or seniority.
"...all the members—men, women, and children—of an ato may be tattooed whenever a head is taken by any person of the ato."
Today, it is common for one to mark one's body in remembrance of an accomplishment. Why is it so hard to believe that our ancestors did the same thing?
i know im gonna get a lot of crap for this. and its understandable. but unless someone can provide some real proof other than a book that was written under pure speculation, i just dont buy it.
I love you Arvin, but you need to do some more research, pare. The way that you're coming at this issue is backwards. They don't need to prove anything to you. They know why they got tattoos. If you really want to understand the tradition, it's up to you to do the necessary research.
I'm sure that the historians that have written these chronicles of Filipino tattooing traditions would take offense to your claim that their books were written under "pure speculation," as you say. They've done the research, these are their findings. If you want to make such a bold statement to refute their findings, be sure you can back it up.
now, dont get me wrong. the tats done by "the four waves" are beautiful designs. and its cool that they came up with meanings for their designs. but i just dont buy that its derived from the actual ancient practices of our ancestors.
When I look at some of the Four Waves' designs, I can't help but see a link to the pictures of the manongs and manangs I posted above. If you don't see a resemblance, then there's nothing I can say, other than that you may be blinded by skepticism.
For many of the Four Waves members, this is their life's work. I have a hard time believing that they just made s** up. Again, they have done the research. If you don't trust them, that's your prerogative.
Yes, there are many cases of reinterpretations of these ancient designs. But like I said before, I don't think there's anything wrong with that. In fact, I welcome it.
one major sign: "tatak ng apat na alon" is tagalog. the tagalog language is from the region of luzon. but the only evidence of tribal tattooing in the philippines were from other regions.
This is the biggest red flag you've waved that indicates to me that you have not done the necessary research. Those pictures I posted above are from the Kalinga people of northern
Luzon.
The Tagalog culture of the Pre-Hispanic times was totally different from its forms today. From a former tattooing tribe, the Tagalog culture grew steadily to accept foreign, especially Hispanic, Chinese, and American cultural influences, and their culture today remains the backbone and the representative of all other Filipino cultures.
sorry if im bursting anyone's bubble... but i will be the first to admit that my "tribal" design is merely a design, incorporating designs that i thought would be cool and cover up a previous tattoo that i had. basically, the only meaning behind it is the sun from the philippine flag incorporated into it. before getting it done, i did my research on the subject, and i ran into the whole four waves movement. and i just didnt buy it.
You "didn't buy it." This phrase says to me that you probably never will. And that's okay. You are coming at this thing with a skeptic's eye, and that's good. It's always healthy to ask questions.
But here's another question to ask yourself -- are they trying to fool you? Is this all just a big plot to get stupid Fil-Ams like us to get tattoos all over their body that mean nothing? Are they twirling their mustaches, laughing nefariously?
If the answer to that question is yes, then have fun swimming in unhealthy skepticism.
Apart from the nod to the flag, you said your designs mean nothing anyway.
Pintados(Painted Ones)
Return of the Headhunters: The Philippine Tattoo Revival
