Traditional Tattooing

Tattoos have been a part of human culture for thousands of years, serving as symbols of identity, protection, spirituality, and personal expression. Across the globe, different cultures have developed unique tattooing techniques, each deeply rooted in tradition and history. Let’s take a journey through some of the most significant traditional tattooing methods and honor the artistry behind them.

Polynesian Hand-Tapped Tattoos

One of the most well-known traditional tattooing techniques comes from Polynesia. The hand-tapping method involves using a comb-like tool made from bone, turtle shell, or wood, which is dipped into ink and tapped into the skin with a mallet. This technique creates intricate geometric patterns that often tell stories of a person’s lineage, achievements, and social status. In Samoa, these tattoos are called Pe'a (for men) and Malu (for women)—deeply sacred and earned through rites of passage.

Japanese Tebori Tattoos

In Japan, the ancient art of Tebori (meaning "hand carving") is a meticulous hand-poked tattooing technique that dates back to the Edo period. Using a long metal rod with multiple needles at the tip, the artist rhythmically inserts ink under the skin by hand, creating rich shading and gradients that machines struggle to replicate. Traditional Irezumi tattoos often depict mythical creatures, koi fish, cherry blossoms, and legendary warriors.

Indigenous Filipino Batok Tattoos

The Batok tattooing tradition in the Philippines has been practiced by the Kalinga people for centuries. This form of tattooing is done using a thorn (often from a pomelo tree) attached to a bamboo stick, tapped into the skin with a wooden mallet. The ink is made from soot and natural ingredients, and designs often include sacred patterns symbolizing protection, strength, and tribal heritage. One of the most famous living mambabatok (hand-tap tattoo artists) is Whang-Od, a 107-year-old tattoo master who continues to pass down the art.

Inuit Skin-Stitching Tattoos

The Inuit people of the Arctic have a unique tattooing tradition known as skin-stitching. This method involves threading a needle with soot-stained sinew and pulling it through the skin, creating lines of pigment beneath the surface. These tattoos are traditionally worn by Inuit women as a rite of passage, spiritual protection, and a connection to their ancestors. The practice nearly disappeared due to colonization but has been revitalized by Indigenous tattoo artists today.

Thai Sak Yant Tattoos

In Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia, Sak Yant tattoos are hand-poked using a long metal rod called a Khem Sak. These tattoos are deeply spiritual and often inscribed with Buddhist prayers, sacred geometry, and protective blessings. They are traditionally given by monks or masters called Ajarns, who chant a magical blessing over the tattoo upon completion, imbuing it with spiritual energy.

Reviving and Honoring Traditional Tattoos

Many of these ancient tattooing techniques were nearly lost due to colonization and modernization, but thanks to cultural revival efforts, they are being practiced and honored once again. These traditional methods are not just about body art—they carry deep meaning, history, and the spirit of the cultures that created them.

At Ohana Organics, we recognize and respect the roots of tattooing and believe in caring for your tattoos naturally. Whether your ink is freshly done or a piece of history on your skin, our Tattoo Butter is designed to nourish, protect, and enhance your body art using botanical ingredients that have been cherished for centuries.