Whang Od Oggay, is a woman who is 103 years old, she is the Philippines’ oldest traditional tattoo artist. Whang Od is the last mambabatok—a traditional Kalinga tattooist—in Kalinga province, which is located in the mountainous area of the northern Philippines. This old tattoo artist is not only famous in Philippines but also in other countries because of her greatest talent of tattooing. Of these, there are people all over the world to get tattoos. In fact, their voyage will take them a long time.
Tourists and other tourists must travel 15 hours north of Manila to reach the mountain community of Buscalan, which can only be reached by hiking through a forest and rice terraces from the nearest dirt road. One of woman who had got a tattoo from Whang Od described about this wonderful tattoo artist so scroll down to see how she has talked about Whang Od.
Whang Od is admired by many since she is the last of her type to carry on the old tattoo tradition.
Whang Od uses a thorn from a pomelo tree, a foot-long bamboo stick, coal, and water to create her traditional hand-poke tattoos. The ink she makes herself is tapped deep into the flesh with the help of a thorn and bamboo. Her tattoos are permanent and include everything from basic lines to tribal motifs to animals, with meanings ranging from strength to fertility.
When this tradition first started Kalinga tattoos were only given to men who had killed someone in battle. These works of art are now available to anyone who can make it here.
She has been tattooing people for more than 80 years!
But the thing is that this traditional tattoo technique can only be passed down through blood relatives is the primary impediment to keeping this tradition alive. Otherwise, the tattoos will be tainted, according to the culture. Whang Od has trained her grandnieces to continue the practice, despite the fact that she has no offspring of her own.
(All of my friends who were tattooing) have passed away. And I am the only tattoo artist who left alive. She is also at her last phrase of her life but she does not worry about dying as she does not let her art die she is traning the next generationof tattoo artists to keep this art tradition alive.
A year ago, Rajayana Librojo Fajatin got the opportunity to have a tattoo from Whang Od. “I took a four-day excursion from Baguio via Sagada to Buscalan, where Whang Od is located. The locals were pleasant, and I had a good time, especially with the children. They dance to modern music played on a phone nearby. “They have a great deal of regard for their elders.
“She’s been famous since I was a child, but my decision to get a tattoo from her was impulsive,” the woman said when asked how she decided to get a tattoo from Whang Od. I was in Baguio and decided to travel all the way up north to see her because she is rather elderly. However, it is still extremely healthy. “At the time, I desired spiritual direction, so I got a serpent eagle tattoo on my shoulder.”
“Whang Od is the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen,” Rajayana stated. “The tattooing was not nearly as unpleasant as depicted, and it lasted less than an hour.” On my right shoulder, I had it done. It was exhausting to descend the mountains after receiving a tattoo, but the locals, even the elderly, could do it quickly and effortlessly. Overall, it was a memorable and humbling experience!”
Scroll down, You can see a photo of Rajayana posing with Whang Od after getting her tattoo done.
Here you can see how the people on the internet has praised thisold tattoo artist Whang Od.
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