She gets a tattoo at 97

She gets a tattoo at 97 – possibly the oldest tattoo artist from the Philippines

Anyone who is even a little interested in tattoos knows that this process implies different styles of drawing. We all have at least once heard such names as Chicano, Graphics, Minimalism, Old and New School, or at least Realism.

But the fact that the very technique of drawing is also different – very few people know. And it is not surprising, because along with the growing popularity of tattoos, an optimal and quick way was found to fill what you want. A wide variety of rotary and induction machines from different manufacturers allows everyone to choose a wheelbarrow that is easy to use. And the method that was used hundreds of years ago is no longer of interest to anyone..

Nevertheless, this technique also has fans who come from all over the world for an authentic tattoo..

Wang Od

One of the few who owns the ancient technique is a 97-year-old resident of the Philippines, whose work experience is more than 50 years. Her name is Wang Od and people from all over the planet really come to her. But getting to the master who owns the ancient technique is not so easy. She lives in the province of Kalinga, Philippines, which can only be reached through mountain passes, stone landslides and dirt narrow roads. Which, however, does not stop the clients of the tattoo artist.

Mambotok

Mambotoks are those tattoo artists who own the ancient technique of drawing drawings – Kalinga, which is named after the settlement, and is also known as Mambotok. Tattoos on the body of local hunters were considered a symbol of masculinity and courage. Filipinos believe that the Kalinga tattoo symbolizes such qualities necessary for a hunter as courage, dexterity, and can also serve as protection. Women, on the other hand, applied drawings in the form of grains, dots, crosses, lines and wore them as decoration. The name itself – Mambotok, translates as “slapping on a peg”. This is where the main and only tool of the technique is revealed – the ink on the peg with an awl is driven into the skin by tapping the peg with a stone.

History of the tattoo artist

Wang Od’s becoming a tattoo artist began a love story. In her youth, she was in love with a warrior, and when he was killed by the soldiers who ravaged their village, she was left alone and never loved anyone again and never had children. Wang herself was taught this technique by her father at the age of 15 after he himself brought her to get a tattoo from a local artist. In memory of her lover, she decided to master the technique perfectly and continued to tattoo the soldiers of the village. But times are changing, and now she makes them to ordinary travelers. Now she mainly makes ornaments, prints images of birds and animals, as well as various symbols..

Technique secrets

In February 2018, Wang turned 101, but she believes that the ancient tattooing technique will continue to live, because she passed on her knowledge to her great-nephews, teaching them the art of mastery. And given the fact that Wang Od is recognized as one of the living cultural values ​​of the Philippines, you can be sure that the memory of her and her art will not be forgotten for a long time..

Prepared by: komlevaas (Komleva Anastasia Sergeevna)