Whang-Od: The Last True Tattoo Artist | Short Film

Matador Network

9 May 201813:40

Summary

TLDRThe video script narrates a journey to the mountains of Colin, where an elderly woman is the last practitioner of a traditional tattooing art form that was once prevalent but has declined with modernization and Christianity. The narrator seeks to preserve their cultural heritage by getting a tattoo from her. The village's strategic location for defense and agriculture is highlighted, as is the woman's age, estimated between 90 to 100 years old. The tattooing process, using a citrus thorn and charcoal ink, is described as painful and prone to infection. The script also touches on the impact of tourism, both positive and negative, on the village's culture and the efforts to balance modernization with cultural preservation.

Takeaways

🏞️ The speaker grew up in a mountainous region where traditional tattoos were common but have since declined due to the influence of Christianity and modernization.
👵 There is a respected elder woman who is considered the last practitioner of the traditional tattoo art in the community.
🔗 The speaker wishes to get a tattoo from her to preserve a piece of their cultural heritage, which they perceive as dying.
⛰️ The village is strategically located on a mountaintop for defense against enemy attacks and to oversee the surrounding landscape, including rice fields.
🎨 The village is known for its headhunting culture, which is now part of their historical past.
👵 The elderly tattoo artist is estimated to be between 90 to 100 years old, highlighting her status as a living link to the past.
🌿 The tattooing process involves using a citrus thorn and charcoal ink, which is a traditional method that can lead to infection as the skin reacts to the foreign material.
😖 The tattooing experience is described as painful, with the artist applying more pressure when the recipient shows signs of pain.
🗡️ The design of the tattoo is not chosen by the recipient but is given by the artist, symbolizing specific cultural meanings, such as warrior status.
🌐 The village has experienced an increase in tourism, which has both positive and negative impacts on the community and its traditions.
🏞️ There is a focus on preserving the traditional culture, including tattooing and agriculture, amidst the challenges of modernization and tourism.

Q & A

What is the significance of tattoos in the culture of the mountain elders mentioned in the script?
-Tattoos are considered a vital part of the cultural heritage, with the last known practitioner being a woman who is believed to be the last one carrying on the tradition.
How has the advent of Christianity and modernization impacted the tattooing culture in the mountains?
-The influence of Christianity and modernization has led to a decline in the practice of tattooing, as it was once a common practice among the elders but has since died down.
What is the geographical significance of the village's location as described in the script?
-The village is strategically located on top of a mountain, allowing for visibility of enemy attacks and access to necessary resources like rice fields, while also providing safety from potential attacks.
What is the approximate age of the last tattoo artist mentioned in the script?
-The exact age is uncertain due to the lack of a birth certificate, but it is estimated to be between ninety to a hundred years old based on records from one of her sisters.
What materials does the tattoo artist use for her ink and needle?
-The artist uses a citrus thorn as a needle and charcoal mixed with water as ink for her tattooing process.
What is the expected reaction to pain during the tattooing process according to the script?
-It is suggested that showing pain might lead the tattoo artist to apply the needle harder, so it is advised to maintain a straight face and not show pain.
What does the tattoo design signify in the culture, and can anyone choose their own design?
-The tattoo design holds significant cultural meaning, and it is not up to the individual to choose their design; the artist typically decides what design to give.
What is the impact of tourism on the village as described in the script?
-Tourism has both positive and negative impacts. While it can lead to increased interest in preserving traditional culture, it also brings issues like uncontrolled influx, trash, and consumption.
How does the script suggest the village should handle the influx of tourists?
-The script suggests that the village should find ways to accommodate guests responsibly, manage trash, and educate tourists on respecting the local culture and traditions.
What is the script's perspective on the balance between modernization and cultural preservation?
-The script emphasizes the importance of using tourism as a means to preserve culture, such as tattooing and agriculture, while acknowledging that modernization is inevitable.

Outlines

00:00

🌄 Preserving Cultural Heritage Through Tattooing

The speaker reminisces about the traditional tattooing practices in their mountainous hometown, which have declined with the advent of Christianity and modernization. They express a desire to get a tattoo from the last known practitioner of this ancient art form, a woman who is believed to be between 90 to 100 years old, to preserve a piece of their culture. The village's strategic location for defense and agriculture is mentioned, along with the headhunting culture that was once prevalent in the area. The speaker also discusses the process of getting a tattoo, which is described as painful and prone to infection due to the use of citrus thorns and charcoal ink.

05:11

🎨 The Art of Traditional Tattooing

The paragraph delves into the tattooing process, which involves using a citrus thorn as a needle and charcoal mixed with water as ink. The tattoo artist, who is part of the Linnea community, performs the tattooing by pushing the charcoal into the skin, a process that is intentionally allowed to get infected as the body tries to reject the foreign material. The speaker describes the experience of getting a tattoo from the artist, noting that showing pain can lead to harder strikes from the tattooist. The artist is selective about the designs she gives, and the speaker had to persuade her to do a warrior tattoo, which is significant in their culture but not typically given to everyone due to its association with honor.

10:11

🏞️ Balancing Tourism and Cultural Preservation

The final paragraph discusses the impact of tourism on the village, highlighting both the positive and negative aspects. The influx of tourists has brought about issues such as trash and overconsumption, but it has also sparked an interest in preserving traditional culture, including tattooing and agricultural practices. The speaker has been involved in helping the village manage tourism in a way that respects the local culture and benefits the community. They emphasize the importance of using tourism as a tool for cultural preservation rather than letting modernization erode the village's heritage. The paragraph also touches on the village's response to increased attention and the speaker's personal pride in contributing to the preservation efforts.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Tattoo

A tattoo is a form of body modification where a design is made by inserting ink, dyes, and pigments, either indelible or temporary, into the dermis layer of the skin to change its pigment. In the video, tattoos are not just a form of body art but also a significant cultural heritage. The speaker expresses a desire to get a tattoo to preserve a 'last piece of my culture,' indicating the cultural significance of tattoos in their community.

💡Christianity

Christianity is one of the world's largest religions, with followers adhering to the teachings of Jesus Christ. In the script, it is mentioned as one of the factors that led to the decline in the practice of traditional tattooing, suggesting a historical shift in cultural practices due to religious influences.

💡Modernization

Modernization refers to the process of societal change from a traditional, rural, agricultural society to a modern, urban industrial society. The video discusses how modernization has impacted the traditional tattooing culture, with the implication that it has led to a decline in the practice as people adopt more contemporary lifestyles.

💡Cultural Preservation

Cultural preservation involves the efforts to maintain and protect a group's cultural heritage, which includes art, traditions, and customs. The video's theme revolves around the preservation of the tattooing culture, with the speaker wanting to get a tattoo to secure a piece of their heritage and the community's efforts to maintain their traditions despite modern influences.

💡Headhunting Culture

Headhunting refers to the practice of taking the heads of enemies killed in warfare or raids, often to support social status or for ritualistic purposes. The video mentions the 'headhunting culture,' indicating a historical aspect of the community's past that is part of their cultural identity.

💡Tribes

A tribe is a social division in a traditional society consisting of families, lineage, or community with common ancestry, culture, and language. The script refers to 'warring tribes,' suggesting a historical context where communities were in conflict, which influenced their geographical settlement and cultural practices.

💡Charcoal

Charcoal is a black carbon substance, which is used as a pigment in the video's context for tattooing. The speaker describes the process of using charcoal for ink, indicating a traditional method of tattooing that is part of the cultural practice being preserved.

💡Infection

Infection is the invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi that are not typically present within the body, causing disease or illness. The video mentions the risk of infection as part of the tattooing process, highlighting the traditional and potentially risky nature of the cultural practice.

💡Tourism

Tourism refers to the activity of traveling to and staying in places outside one's usual environment for leisure, business, or other purposes. The video discusses the impact of tourism on the community, both positive and negative, with an emphasis on how it can be managed to support cultural preservation and local benefits.

💡Manifesto

A manifesto is a public declaration of intentions, opinions, objectives, or motives. In the script, the speaker mentions creating a 'manifesto for people visiting the place,' which implies a set of guidelines or principles to educate tourists on how to respect the local culture and contribute positively to the community.

💡Preservation of Culture

The preservation of culture refers to the act of maintaining and protecting cultural elements such as traditions, languages, and customs. The video emphasizes the importance of preserving the tattooing culture and other traditional practices as a way to maintain the community's identity and heritage in the face of modernization.

Highlights

The tradition of tattooing in the mountains is dying out with the influence of Christianity and modernization.

An elderly woman is recognized as the last practitioner of the traditional tattoo art, preserving a piece of cultural heritage.

The village's strategic location on a mountain top allowed for defense against enemy attacks and proximity to essential resources like rice fields.

The village is known for its headhunting culture, which is now carried on through the art of tattooing.

The elderly tattoo artist's age is estimated to be between ninety to a hundred years old, reflecting a lack of formal records in the community.

The tattooing process involves using a citrus thorn and charcoal ink, which can lead to infections as the skin reacts to the foreign material.

The tattooing process is described as painful, with the artist applying more pressure when the recipient shows signs of pain.

The design of the tattoo is not chosen by the recipient but is given by the artist, reflecting the cultural significance and meaning behind each design.

The full warrior tattoo is reserved for those who have earned honor, reflecting the cultural values and traditions of the community.

The influx of tourism brings both positive and negative impacts, with concerns about environmental and cultural preservation.

Efforts are being made to manage tourism in a way that respects the local culture and contributes to its preservation.

The community is encouraged to use tourism as a means to preserve their culture, such as traditional tattooing and agricultural practices.

The importance of preserving cultural practices like tattooing is emphasized, even as modernization and development continue.

The documentary highlights the balance between embracing modernization and preserving the cultural heritage of the community.

The village's response to tourism and its impact on their culture is a central theme, with a focus on sustainable practices.

The documentary provides a glimpse into the life and work of the last traditional tattoo artist, offering a unique cultural experience.

The community's approach to handling tourism is discussed, with an emphasis on education and respect for their traditions.