106-Year-Old Tattoo Artist in the Philippines Makes Local Artistry a Global Sensation

We hear a lot about the ills of the internet, but can it be used as a means of preserving traditions nearly lost to the throws of time? If we tread carefully, it most certainly can be. 

The tattooing tradition of the Kalinga region of the Philippines may give us a glimpse of such possibility. This beautiful piece of indigenous history went from the verge of cultural extinction to the cover of Vogue.

The story starts with a figure who is now known nearly world-wide, Apo Whang-Od. A centenarian, still practicing, traditional tattoo artist whose story and artform have pushed back on colonially imposed stigma of traditional tattoos, and whose work is now sought after world-wide.

The History of the Batok Artform

The traditional tattoo style of the Kalinga region of the Philippines, batok, has existed for over a thousand years. Filipino men and women from the Kalinga region have adorned their bodies with these tattoos, hand poked with a special tool made from a bamboo stick and thorn called a gisi. To women, these tattoos were given to enhance their beauty once they became old enough to marry. To men, these tattoos were symbols of bravery and valor, given to warriors who fought against the Kalinga’s enemies. In either circumstance, these tattoos held great cultural significance and represented the beauty and perseverance of their culture. ¹. 

For years, the artform was dwindling. Catholic missionaries tried to eradicate the practice of tattoos, and scorn for them became more and more widespread–even forbidden by the military. ²

As fewer and fewer people sought out Batok the mambabatok–tattoo artist of the Butbut Tribe–passed away without passing down the tradition. By the early 2000s there was just one “last” mambabtock left, Appo Whang-Od. And when a film crew from a Discovery documentary series came to film her work in 2007, few people would have predicted the world-wide ripple it has had.

Apo Whang-Od: “Living Vessel of a Traditional Practice”

Traditionally, batok artists were men, but in her younger years Whang-Od’s father insisted on her taking the mantle of mambabatok so the artform could live on in the fresh eyes of his daughter. Though fame didn’t come until she was in her 90s, Whang-Od’s has not only put her village, but her culture on the map. 

Now, thousands of tourists a year make the long and arduous trek to her remote village to receive a tattoo from the master. Though her designs are now limited to a three dot motif that symbolizes her and the two grandnieces she has trained to carry on the tradition, they come in droves nonetheless. At the height of the Whang-Od tattoo boom in 2016 nearly 400 people a day came to the village. This, of course, spurred on not only an increase in tourist dollars to the village, bringing new construction, new jobs, and wifi, but it also helped young people–particularly women–take up the mambabatok legacy. ³

Apo Whang-Od is undoubtedly a legendary figure of the modern era. At 107 years old now she has become the steward of an ancient cultural tradition.Her cultural influence and importance has been cemented not only in the thousands of tattoos she has given over her lifetime, but in recognitions from the Filipino government as a “living vessel of a traditional practice” and a nomination for the National Living Treasures Award (Gawad ng Manlilikha ng Bayan)–honoring her contributions to Filipino culture and indigenous practices. ⁴ 

Whang-Od herself displays almost a century of beautiful artistry on her own skin, and is an amazing example of the evolution of culture in the digital age. Throughout history, cultures have risen, fallen, and flourished. Many lament the digital age has brought on a mass extinction of cultural tradition, however, Whang-Od shows how these arts have evolved over time.The allure of her art and her position of mambabatok has given Whang-Od such international recognition that she was recently featured on the cover of Vogue magazine! 

The Last Mambabatok

Words can only do Whang-Od so much justice, so let’s take our reading glasses off and watch this feature from Insider Business on the legend herself.

Isn’t Whang-Od incredible?! It’s so refreshing to see someone over 100 years old have so much joy in her life, and despite the challenges of old age she perseveres with that iconic smile! Check out more from Insider Business on their YouTube channel! 

Representing a century of the continuation of Kalinga culture and joy, we can all learn a thing or two from Whang-Od. In fact, she attributes her vitality to a life of eating healthy and taking time to enjoy even the smallest pleasures of life! Even though you may not be the last mambabatok, we can all agree a little joy can go a long way– or over 106 years for that matter!

Cementing a Legacy

So, what could the meteoric rise of Whang-Od and the resurgence of mambabatok show us about the positive power of the internet? Certainly there can be naysayers to thousands of people flocking to a remote village for a tattoo, but for many, and for most, that voyage and that tattoo aren’t a trend there is a connection to something deeper. For some getting a traditional tattoo may reconnect them to their lost Filipino heritage. For others, it is a means of reclaiming traditional beauty standards. Surely others have deeper reasons, too. If done with care, respect, and reverence for the cultural heritage and significance of these tattoos it is possible to balance a globalized future with indigenous practices.

Many years ago we wrote about Whang-Od with the vague hope that the traditions she carries would be passed down to the next generation. It now, quite thankfully, seems that those traditions will be carried on.

For a few more stories about some of the world’s traditions and the next generation carrying them on here are some of our favorites:

Remember that respect and reverence start with you! Cultures all over the globe deserve the same care and respect we desire for our own. We are all citizens of planet Earth, and are more alike and unique in many more ways than we can imagine!

Stay safe, and keep being kind!

Owen

Don’t miss out on a single article!

Enjoy unlimited access to over 500 articles & podcast that give you a positive perspective on the state of the world and show you practical ways you can help.

Sign up now!