Types of African designs, placements and meanings.
Due to this being a rather unusual and uncommon subject, many people will have little knowledge with regard to the history behind traditional African tattoos and tattooing procedures and many will likely never have given the subject much thought.
However, there truly is an extremely colorful tattooing past within this great continent and the deeper you look, the more interesting it becomes.
Next time you see an interesting tattoo, especially if you’re traveling around Africa, just think for a moment about the potential history and meaning that could be behind the very piece of ink you’re looking at.
Slave trade
Tattooing in Africa dates back thousands of years, from inked symbols of fertility on women in ancient Egypt to tattoos symbolizing tribal hierarchy. Detailed documentation is hard to come by because of the time period and number of tribes, but tattooing both on the body and the face holds a fixed place in Africa’s history.
It is believed that the use of tribal marks on the continent increased during the period of the Atlantic Slave trade. Tribe members being shipped off as slaves to foreign countries were marked to identify them should they ever be rescued or freed – permanent signatures of their heritage. Tribal and clan wars, beauty, witchcraft and superstitious beliefs were also among the reasons for marking.
Animal tattoos and their meaning in African culture
The spiritual meaning and symbolism behind African animals.
Africa is a beautiful and majestic land, rich with lush plant-life and magnificent animals.
The animals play a huge part in African culture, and their symbolism can be found throughout countless pieces of art and historical accouterments. Each animal has a specific meaning and signifies a certain quality or characteristic.
In fact, several African tribes believe wearing animal carvings on their masks or wearing animal tattoos will improve their communication with animal spirits who live in the desert or wooded areas. Here are a few of animal tattoos and the meaning behind them!
The Lion and Lioness
The lion signifies strength, both in personality and physicality. He represents courage, valor, and pride. His counterpart, the lioness, represents femininity, motherhood, and the moon.
The Leopard
The leopard is known as the Great Watcher, and is a symbol for cunning, agility, and ferocity. The leopard is highly revered in African cultures as a master hunter due to its secrecy and mystery.
The Zebra
The zebra symbolizes freedom, individuality, friendship and unity. Though they are a part of a herd, they each bring something special to the group and seemingly get along with all other animals.
The Crocodile
The crocodile is regarded as a sacred animal is parts of Africa. It represents protection, and is seen as a spiritual being who wards off evil. In Gambia, the crocodile is even stamped on the country’s currency, and a sacred crocodile pool called Kachikally serves as a prayer-ground for visitors.
The Elephant
The elephant is a popular symbol in African art and jewelry. Symbolizing good luck, especially when the trunk is pointed upwards, the elephant often graces the walls of homes and can be found on many types of clothing.The elephant also represents wisdom, maternal strength, and longevity.
In the end African tattoos signify beauty. The Africans start the process of beautification from childhood. Though there are other reasons for tattooing, quest for beauty is their ultimate goal. Spirituality plays a significant role in the culture of African people. just like any other tattoo designs, African tattoos have different meanings depending on the symbols. So, you can select the most suitable tattoo as per your requirement. The meanings and symbols behind these tattoos will be interesting. If you are least bothered about the meaning, you can understand the origins and symbolism behind your tattoo design if you read more about them before tattooing. It will help you to add personality to your choice. Think before you INK!
Comments