Decorating body; Ethiopian traditional tattoo

Ethiopian traditional tattoos were introduced to Ethiopia in the 4th Century, when Christianity spread to the Horn of Africa. For women in rural areas it has been seen as a sign of beauty, culture and to somehow religious.

“As urbanization expanded, the standards of beauty changed making it irrelevant for people to want to cling to traditional tattoos to look good,” Yitbarek Wodajo, an expert on traditional practices, said.

According to him, trinkets and jewelry increasingly took over as forms of outward display, replacing tattoos, while cosmetics became a more popular beauty substitute. “Though tattoos have long been a symbol of ethnic and religious identity, there were also cultural teachings that insisted they protected attractive-looking people from evil eyes and added to human beauty,” Yitbarek added.

Improved education on the dangers associated with tattooing, which is usually carried out by unregulated practitioners, also discouraged the tradition. The procedure is often painful and carries a risk of infection.

Traditional tattoos have many forms; from rows of blue or black lines from chin to chest, dots on the forehead to crucifixes and crescents on the back of the hand. In spite of its symbol, traditional tattoo may bring health impact women while tattooing and trying to remove it from their body, he added.

Genet Tarekegn, 28 and who carries a row of tattoos on her neck and forehead is typical of most young carriers of traditional tattoos. She was born in Gonder city of Amhara region and now living and working at Addis Ababa.

She told The Ethiopian Herald that she was very happy when she was tattooed; despite she had difficulties while getting a tattoo print. “I got it willingly for the sake of beauty. My mother advised me to get tattooed as she believes it will add to my beauty.”

However, when she moved to Addis Ababa, Genet found her markings carried a different meaning for her new neighbors than for her friends and family in the rural community where she grew up. “That was when I wanted to scrub it off my body,” she said.

“Honestly speaking, I was cursing the day when I become tattooed, because it was so difficult to scrub it from my face. Forgetting the long period it took to be removed, the feeling was also hard,” she explained. According to her still this traditional practice is functional in many rural areas across the country.

In northern Ethiopia, delicate neck and facial tattoos called nikisat stand out against the traditional white clothing and elaborate hair designs of Ethiopian women. Here, Belaynesh sits in the grounds of Saint Rufaels Church in the city of Addis Ababa. There is a religious aspect to some nikisat, with lines of tiny crosses along jaws or traditional Ethiopian shaped crosses on foreheads.

As to her she is always confortable with her tattoo on her face. “It helps me to remember my culture, my village and my family found at rural area. Indeed; urban people, even my son do not accept traditional tattoos, some are asking me to remove it from my face. But I am refusing them as have accept it as my culture and tradition,” she added.

The use of nikisat is far more prevalent in rural areas. Nowadays in cities its increasingly frowned upon, associated with backward, old-fashioned ways. Its also judged a health risk, through its application, and unfair on women, who usually are tattooed when young girls of about 8 years old with no say in the matter.

Documents stated that, the tradition of inking skin is a rather old one in Ethiopia. Children as young as 5 years old, mostly female, are tattooed with crosses, sun patterns or other religious and cultural symbols on their hands, necks or foreheads. As this tradition slowly fades away in rural parts it is gaining renewed momentum around cities; nowadays urban tattoo studios are becoming increasingly popular.

Nahom Michael, 30, runs Lucy Tattoo parlor around Olympia area. Lucy is one of the older establishments in Addis, having opened its doors 8 years ago. He says his clientele has increased and diversified over the years. There are many pictures plastered on the windows of his shop showcasing his artistic skill.

“Like many traditions that date back centuries, the tattoos that modern Ethiopians ancestors carried are increasingly seen as a sign of backwardness and ignorance. Besides their faces, women also make traditional tattoos on their forearms, lower legs, and to darken the gums of their mouth,” Yitbarek noted.

The Ethiopian herald June 6,2020

BY HIZKEL HAILU