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.