#1: Puberty & Fertility
Mali girls received dark, half-circles tattooed underneath their mouths upon reaching puberty. Their upper lips were filled later, after marriage.
Today many Mail women rock full-lipped tattoos, regardless of marital status.
#2: Strength
Prior to hunting parties in Sub Saharan Africa, it is common for medicine men to make tiny cuts into the skin of the hunters. They fill these cuts with ink that had been blessed and mixed with specific remedies.
The medicinal ink is believed to make the hunters stronger and gave them more clarity for the hunt.
#3: Protection
Many saw tattoos as spells or a means of spiritual protection to ward off evil spirits. Depending on the culture, specific symbols were used for different types of protection.
The placement of tattoos was also important. For example, if someone wanted to become physically stronger they would likely get tattoos on their arms.
#4: Social Identifiers:
In some cultures royals and other high ranking leaders or spiritualists often had intricate, bold tattoos. Someone within a lower class structure would have simpler tattoos.
Tattoos were used to determine one’s cultural tribe, which became especially important for our ancestors throughout enslavement as a means to locate and reunite with communities they’d been torn from.
Today 1 in 5 American adults have tattoos.
Would a tattoo help you feel more aligned spiritually?