The History of Body Ornamentation in Philippine Culture | Filipino Traditions | Object Rewind E05

Summary

This script explores the historical body ornamentation practices of early Filipinos, such as tattooing, tooth filing, and earlobe stretching, which were once common but later deemed excessive by colonizers. It contrasts these traditional customs with modern perceptions of beauty and modesty influenced by Islam and Christianity. The narrative suggests a resurgence of these practices as a form of cultural rebellion or liberation, challenging the notion of what is traditionally Filipino.

Takeaways

• 📜 Historically, body modifications like tattoos and piercings were common among early Filipinos.
• 🏺 Body ornamentation served as a marker of social status and kinship in pre-colonial Filipino societies.
• 🗣️ The Visayans, or pintados, were known for their heavily tattooed bodies and unique beauty standards.
• 👥 Both men and women in these communities practiced body modifications, including head binding and earlobe stretching.
• 💍 Elaborate jewelry made from materials like tortoise shell, ivory, and gold was a sign of wealth and social standing.
• 🦷 Tooth filing was a widespread practice considered beautiful across various regions in the Philippines.
• 🔩 Some groups went as far as gold pegging, a painful procedure to insert dental ornaments into teeth.
• 🌏 The arrival of Islam and Christianity led to the decline of traditional body modification practices.
• 🌿 The new religious standards favored natural and immaculate appearances, viewing traditional practices as pagan and savage.
• 🔄 There is a modern resurgence and increasing tolerance for body modifications, challenging the status quo.
• 🧬 Recognizing the history of body ornamentation challenges the notion that tattoos and piercings are non-traditional.

Q & A

What cultural practices were common among early Filipinos as described in the 16th-century Spanish chronicles?

Early Filipinos commonly practiced body ornamentation such as tattoos, ear plugs, multiple piercings, teeth filing, and similar forms of body decoration.

Why were these body modifications considered significant in early Filipino cultures?

These body modifications were significant as they conveyed one's class status, kinship, and beauty standards of the time.

What was the term used for the Visayans who had heavily tattooed bodies?

The term used for the Visayans who had heavily tattooed bodies was 'pintados'.

What was the beauty standard for women among the Visayans?

The beauty standard for Visayan women included receding foreheads and flat noses, achieved through a form of head binding.

What materials were commonly used to make jewelry among the early Filipinos?

Jewelry was made from materials such as tortoise shell, ivory, and gold.

What was the pamarang and how was it significant among the elite?

The pamarang was the largest kind of ear ornament, and among the elite, it was made of gold pounded into thin sheets with intricate repousse and granulation.

At what age did piercings typically begin among early Filipinos?

Piercings were made as early as a few days after childbirth.

Why was tooth filing considered beautiful in early Filipino cultures?

Tooth filing was considered beautiful because the belief was that the closer your teeth were to its natural form, the less appealing they were. It created a distinction between humans and animals.

Which regions in the Philippines practiced tooth filing and other dental modifications?

Tooth filing was widespread among the Visayans, Tagalog, Cordillera, Bicol regions, and further south among the forest and mountain-dwelling peoples of Mindanao.

How did the introduction of Islam and Christianity impact traditional Filipino body modification practices?

The introduction of Islam and Christianity led to the loss of traditional body modification practices as new standards of beauty and modesty replaced the original ones, which were considered excessive, pagan, and savage.

What is the current perception of body ornamentation in the context of Filipino culture?

There is a resurgence and increasing tolerance towards non-traditional forms of bodily expression like tattoos, piercings, and body modification, despite some stigma still attached to them.

How does the script suggest we should view contemporary body ornamentation in light of historical practices?

The script suggests that considering the history of body ornamentation among our ancestors, these practices could be seen as traditional rather than rebellious or liberating from the status quo.

Outlines

00:00

🌴 Early Filipino Body Art & Beauty Practices

The paragraph discusses the historical context of body modification practices among early Filipinos, such as tattoos, ear plugs, multiple piercings, teeth filing, and similar forms of body ornamentation. It contrasts the initial negative reaction to these practices with the realization that they were once common and even markers of social status or kinship. The Spanish chronicles from the 16th century provide insights into these customs, with detailed accounts of the Visayans' body art, including tattooing, head binding for aesthetic purposes, and the use of gold and other materials for jewelry. The paragraph also highlights the practice of tooth filing, which was widespread and considered beautiful across various regions in the Philippines. It discusses how these practices were eventually replaced by the standards of beauty and modesty introduced by Islam and Christianity, leading to a shift in cultural values and the perception of body ornamentation.

Keywords

💡Tattoos

Tattoos are a form of body modification where a design is made by inserting ink, dyes, or pigments, either indelible or temporary, into the dermis layer of the skin to change its pigment. In the video, tattoos are mentioned as a common practice among early Filipinos, particularly the Visayans, who were known as 'pintados' due to their heavily tattooed bodies. Tattoos served as markers of social status, kinship, and beauty, and were a part of their cultural identity.

💡Ear Plugs

Ear plugs are a type of body jewelry worn in pierced earlobes, often used to stretch the lobe over time. The script describes how both Visayan men and women wore ear plugs and rings to enlarge their earlobes, with the pamarang being a notable example among the elite, made of gold and featuring intricate designs. This practice was part of the body ornamentation that conveyed social status and cultural identity.

💡Piercings

Piercings involve the creation of an opening in a specific part of the body, usually for the wearing of jewelry. The video script mentions that multiple ear piercings were common among the early Filipinos, starting from a few days after childbirth and increasing in diameter with each life stage. Piercings were not only a form of adornment but also a reflection of one's social standing and cultural affiliations.

💡Body Ornamentation

Body ornamentation refers to the practice of decorating the human body using various methods such as tattoos, piercings, and jewelry. The video highlights how body ornamentation was a widespread practice among early Filipinos, serving to convey one's class status, kinship, and cultural identity. It was a critical aspect of their social and cultural life, as it was intricately linked to their customs and values.

💡Visayans

The Visayans are an ethnic group native to the Visayas region in the Philippines. In the script, they are described as having heavily tattooed bodies and practicing head binding as a beauty standard. The Visayans, also known as 'pintados', were one of the first peoples encountered by the Spaniards, and their body ornamentation practices were a significant part of their cultural expression.

💡Head Binding

Head binding is a cultural practice where the head, especially the forehead, is bound to change its shape, often to achieve a specific aesthetic standard. The video mentions that Visayan women practiced head binding to create receding foreheads and flat noses, which were considered beautiful at the time. This practice was a form of body modification that reflected the beauty standards of their society.

💡Tooth Filing

Tooth filing, also known as dental modification, is the practice of deliberately altering the shape of one's teeth, often for aesthetic or cultural reasons. The script describes how tooth filing was widespread among various Filipino groups, including the Visayans, Tagalogs, Cordillera, and others. It was considered beautiful and served to distinguish humans from animals, reflecting a unique cultural value placed on dental ornamentation.

💡Cultural Identity

Cultural identity refers to the sense of belonging to a cultural group, which is often expressed through shared customs, traditions, and practices. In the video, body ornamentation practices like tattoos, ear plugs, and tooth filing are highlighted as expressions of cultural identity among early Filipinos. These practices were integral to their social structure and conveyed their affiliations and values.

💡Colonization

Colonization is the process by which one nation or cultural group takes control over another region or people. The video discusses how the Spaniards documented their encounters with early Filipinos, leading to the eventual loss of traditional practices like body ornamentation due to colonization. The imposition of new religious and cultural standards by colonizers resulted in the suppression of indigenous customs.

💡Beauty Standards

Beauty standards are the criteria used to judge aesthetic attractiveness within a culture. The script illustrates how beauty standards have evolved over time, with practices like head binding and tooth filing being considered beautiful in the past. However, with the advent of colonization and the spread of world religions, these standards changed, leading to the abandonment of traditional body ornamentation practices.

💡Resurgence

Resurgence refers to a situation where something that was previously declining or less popular begins to grow or become popular again. In the context of the video, resurgence is mentioned in relation to the increasing tolerance and acceptance of body ornamentation practices like tattoos and piercings. This reflects a shift in societal views and a reclamation of traditional forms of bodily expression.

Highlights

Body ornamentation practices like tattoos and piercings were once commonplace in the Philippines.

16th-century Spanish chronicles document early Filipino customs and appearance.

Visayans, or pintados, were known for heavily tattooed bodies and head binding practices.

Elaborate jewelry made from tortoise shell, ivory, and gold was common among early Filipinos.

Ear piercings and the use of ear plugs and rings to enlarge earlobes were widespread.

The pamarang, a gold ornament, was a status symbol among the elite.

Tooth filing was a beauty practice across various regions in the Philippines.

Tooth staining and gold pegging were extreme forms of dental ornamentation.

The belief was that the more altered the teeth, the more beautiful they were.

Dental ornamentation was a way to distinguish humans from animals.

Traditional practices were lost as Islam and Christianity replaced local religions.

The natural and immaculate became the new beauty standards, replacing traditional ones.

Body ornamentation is now seen as rebellion or liberation from the status quo.

There is a resurgence and increasing tolerance towards non-traditional forms of bodily expression.

Tattoos and body modifications could be considered traditional, given their historical prevalence.

The history of objects reflects the evolution of customs and values over time.

The Spaniards extensively documented the customs and appearance of early Filipinos.

Piercings were made soon after birth and increased in size with each life stage.

Transcripts

When we think of tattoos, ear plugs and multiple piercings,

teeth filing, and similar forms of body ornamentation,

the first thing that comes to mind is—ouch.

We think of them as markers of belonging to a particular clique, gang, or subculture

and these are prohibited in formal settings.

But leafing through 16th-century Spanish chronicles

on the allure of the early Filipinos,

one would realize how commonplace these practices used to be.

So, what brought about the shift?

Many of us suffer for beauty,

but can we rival the lengths our ancestors underwent to achieve it?

The history of objects shows how our customs and values have changed over time.

This is Object Rewind.

The Spaniards extensively documented their encounters with the early Filipinos,

giving us an idea of their customs and appearance prior to colonization.

The accounts of Pigafetta, Morga, and Alcina

are just among the few that detailed the similarities and distinctions

between the peoples of the archipelago.

Immediately conveying one's class status and kinship

were attire and body ornamentation,

an astonishing practice to the Western visitors.

Some of the first peoples the Spaniards encountered were the Visayans,

pertaining to those who inhabited both the Visayas

and parts of Northeastern Mindanao.

Also called pintados, these men, and some women,

had heavily tattooed bodies.

The women practiced a form of head binding

as receding foreheads and flat noses

were the beauty standard of the time.

There were elaborate displays of jewelry

made of tortoise shell, ivory, and most remarkably, gold.

Having multiple ear piercings,

both among women and men, was common.

They wore ear plugs and rings to enlarge the earlobes.

The pamarang was the largest kind and—among the elite—

were made of gold pounded into thin sheets

with intricate repousse and granulation.

Piercings were made as early as a few days after childbirth,

increasing in diameter with each life stage.

One of the distinct body modification practices

that struck the colonizers was tooth filing.

Sharpening teeth was widespread

and considered beautiful not only among the Visayans

but also up North in the Tagalog, Cordillera, and Bicol regions,

and further south among the forest and mountain-dwelling peoples of Mindanao.

Some groups also practiced teeth staining

and even gold pegging,

the excruciating procedure of drilling holes into the teeth

to insert dental ornaments.

The belief among those who practice teeth filing for aesthetic purposes was,

the closer your teeth were to its natural form,

the less appealing they were.

Dental ornamentation created distinction between humans and animals.

Save for the indigenous communities that resisted

and avoided conversion to world religions,

Filipinos lost these traditional practices

as Islam and Christianity replaced standards of beauty and modesty.

The natural and the immaculate were favored,

while original notions of beauty were considered excessive, pagan, and savage.

To a degree, these views persist and the act of body ornamentation

is considered a form of rebellion or liberation from the status quo.

Amidst the stigma attached to tattoos, piercings, and body modification,

there is a resurgence and increasing tolerance

towards these non-traditional forms of bodily expression.

But, knowing the history of what our ancestors looked like,

couldn’t one argue that nothing could be more traditional

than a tattooed arm and decked out ears?