In the Philippines, there is a tradition that has been practised by women for many years. This is popularly referred to as “batok” meaning the art of tattooing your body with tribal designs using bamboo stick and thorn.
Batok is believed to have been practised for about one thousand years. Usually, Filipino women who have reached the right age are allowed to get tribal designs to enhance their beauty. But this art of beauty is not just left to women only. Men that have proved themselves worthy enough to get the mark of beauty are allowed to participate in mambabatok tradition.
Apo Whang-Od, known to be the last ‘mambabatok’ has been tattooing women and headhunters in the region of Kalinga for more than seventy years.
Meet the legendary woman and learn about the stories of ‘batok,’ Buscalan’s traditional tattoo.
Dive into the Philippines intangible heritage culture!
WATCH: “Ang Babae sa Likod ng Mambabatok”
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