Tuesday 2 April 2013

The amazing tribal art

The word "tattoo" is a borrowing of the Samoan word tatau, meaning to mark or strike twice (the latter referring to traditional methods of applying the designs). The first syllable "ta", meaning "hand", is repeated twice as an onomatopoeic reference to the repetitive nature of the action, and the final syllable "U" translates to "color". The instrument used to pierce the skin in Polynesian tattooing is called a hahau, the syllable "ha" meaning to "strike or pierce". Still others attribute the modern word to the phrase used by The Polynesians. The word "tatao", which means "to tap" (whice goes along with the method they used of tapping the skin with the long metal instrument they used with a finely sharpened end. The OED gives the etymology of tattoo as "In 18th c. tattaow, tattow. From Polynesian (Tahitian, Samoan, Tongan, etc.) tatau. In Marquesan, tatu." The first closest known usage of the word in English was recorded in the diary of Captain James Cook in 1769 during his voyage to the Marquesas Islands. The text reads, "...they print signs on people's body and call this tattaw", referring to the Polynesian customs. Sailors on the voyage later introduced both the word and reintroduced the concept of tattooing to Europe. In Japanese the most common word used for traditional designs is, "Horimono". The traditional Japanese hand method is called, "Tebori". The word, "Irezumi," simply means, "insertion of ink," and could mean tattoos using Tebori, or Western style machine, (Or for that matter, any method of tattoing using insertion of ink). Japanese may use the word, "Tattoo," to mean non-Japanese styles. Tattoo enthusiasts may refer to tattoos as, "Tats," "Ink," "Art," or, "Work," and to tattooists as, "Artists". The latter usage is gaining greater support, with mainstream art galleries holding exhibitions of both traditional and custom tattoo designs. Copyrighted tattoo designs that are mass-produced and sold to tattoo artists are known as flash, a notable instance of industrial design. Flash sheets are prominently displayed in many tattoo parlors for the purpose of providing both inspiration and ready-made tattoo images to customers.
Up to now, the tribal tattoo is popularized in most people, and the most popular tattoos are the Maori tribal design, the Haida and Polynesia design. People also have a great interest in the native Americans design. The tribes culture, from traditional tribal, the indigenous tattoo and the aboriginal culture to the latest plain design for institutional tribal tattoo. People tattoo always because the design can represent something that can express their thoughts.

No comments:

Post a Comment