Page 10 - aruba-today-20230215

Wednesday 15 February 2023 LocAL
A10

Body painted EpisodeCXCIII- 193

Destination values, native heritage, and cultural iden-
tity are what we advocate for in our own particular way
of safeguarding all reasons to love Aruba. Etnia Nati-
va, through this cultural blog, “Island-Insight,” shares
native cultural awareness, educates, and safeguards
native heritage. It is how we encourage you to experi-
ment with an island-keeper state of mind during your
stay.

In this episode, we present the art of tattooing and
learn where we believe it all began. Our forefathers
also practiced this art in Aruba many years ago; in-
stead of needles, men tattooed their skin with cactus
thorns and black pigment obtained by crushing char-
coal into a fine powder and mixing it with water. Car-
bon gave a deep blue color under the skin.

Indigenous people from different parts of the world
were the precursors of body modification, either
through piercings or through tattoos, so tribal tattoos
are the very origin of the tattoo world. However, little
is known about when or why this practice began. The
oldest known skin drawings are the geometric motifs of
the Ötzi mummy, who lived more than 5,000 years ago.
At the end of the nineteenth century, tattoos were indicated the amount, and it was a ton State University have discovered a
considered taboo and a vulgar or barbaric practice, type of tattoo that they used to wear 2,000-year-old tool known as the “Pueb-
but the truth is that tattoos have had a significant influ- on their thighs. Some tribes only allowed lo Needle” in southeastern present-day
ence and meaning among world tribes as well as those their members to get tattoos after they Utah, belonging to the Anasazi culture.
of Native American ancestry.So if you are searching for had killed their first enemy. The pen-sized tool has a handle about
inspiration for your next tattoo, the art of Etnia Nativa nine centimeters (3.5 inches) long made
can offer you motives in every striking design. In general, men used to have tattooed of sumac wood, tied at the end with
symbols of war such as axes, arrows, shrub leaves (Rhus trilobata) and some

In North America, indigenous women often used their or sticks. But only the best warriors had cactus spines with carbon spots on their
tattoos as a form of seduction, while men used them the privilege of wearing the best tat- tips, a detail that caught the attention
as a symbol of conquest, strength, or power in wars or toos, which were symbols of pride and of archaeologists.
battles. One of the great motivations that led the in- recognition for the public. This included
digenous people to tattoo their bodies was to record back and chest tattoos, most notably Intrigued by Aruba`s origins and its cul-
the enemies they had killed by drawing symbols that a drawing of a sacred item or deity like tural heritage? Then we encourage you
a stone knife or the tribe’s ceremonial to do something outside of the tourist
pipes, etc. grid and become the exclusive visitors
of Etnia Nativa, a private encounter set
For the Mayans, it was also customary up where you will be able to touch and
to use tattoos as a symbol of war. Their be touched by authentic Aruba heri-
designs were based on drawings of ani- tage, a spectacle of native art, archaic
mals such as monkeys, jaguars, snakes, as well as archaeological artifacts, lithic
and eagles. The number of tattoos that tools, colonial furniture, and other items
were possessed indicated the hierarchy of the island’s bygone era. Get inside
and status of the particular warrior. So a a recycled environment full of peace,
good warrior should have practically his relaxation, and knowledgeable Native
entire body covered. stories.

The Inca tattoos consisted of some geo- Etnia Nativa has been, since 1994, the
metric and some abstract descriptions home of science and an acclaimed
of the daily utensils they used. The ce- columnist, artist, and craftsman who
ramic design found on multiple vessels guides and lectures you through his
discovered in different regions of Peru resplendent collection. The landmark
depicts motifs that were later discov- Etnia Nativa provides an authentic
ered as tattoos on mummies. Zigzag el- glimpse into Aruba’s native cultural heri-
ements or animal engravings were the tage. Something completely unique, a
most common. modern Native Aruba experience!

But how did the native people get their Appointment is required + 297 592 2702
tattoos? Archaeologists from Washing- or etnianativa03@gmail.com.q