Tattooing in Myanmar

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Tattooing in Burma was a widespread custom practiced by various ethnic groups, including the

Bamar, Shan, and Karen, until the 20th century. Tattooing was a distinguishing cultural marker and a symbol of strength, courage and intimidation for Lethwei fighters.[1]

Origins

Among the Bamar, the custom of tattooing originates from the Shan people, who believed that tattoos had magical or spiritual connotations, used in a similar manner as

Upper Burma from the 14th to 17th centuries, as the Shan, themselves tattooed, introduced this practice to the Bamar.[3]

The

Arakanese people who are related to the Bamar did not practice tattooing.[4] Similarly, the Mon people did practice tattooing, but did not tattoo their thighs unlike the Bamar.[5]

However, with the onset of

colonial rule in Burma, the practice of tattooing quickly became extinct, particularly in Burmese towns.[3] During the 1930s, tattooing saw a resurgence in popularity among rebels who participated in peasant and millennial uprisings.[6] Men tattooed themselves to provide immunity to bullets and knives.[6] The practice of tattoo is regaining popularity among Burmese youth.[7]

Pigments

Burmese tattoo pigments traditionally used diluted red

bitter melon.[8] A product was reduced to paste form and dried until usage.[8] A greenish tinge was produced by dabbing the pierced areas of the skin with leaves of Senna siamea or Brugmansia suaveolens.[8]

Tattooing among men

Watercolour painting from 1897 by an unknown Burmese artist depicting 19th century "LEK-PWE-THAT THEE" boxing match. All fighters wearing longyi and Htoe Kwin.

Tattooing was a painful procedure that could required extensive use of

yantra tattoos.[9][11]

Htoe Kwin

Throughout its history, Htoe Kwin tattooing (ထိုးကွင်း) were deeply rooted in Myanmar's Lethwei culture[12] and masculine identity. From kings to commoners, these tattoos were exemplars of masculine strength and bravery. Htoe Kwin were tattooed to upper parts of the legs and covered the entire leg until just below the knee line.[1] The very painful process was seen as a rite of passage, from boyhood to becoming a man.[13] They would be made of circles or squares filled with cultural imagery drawn inside each circle depending on the region of the bearer.

Tattooing among women

A tattooed Chin woman, 2009

Southern

Mro women also wore tattoos in the form of small marks or stars on the cheek, forehead or breast.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b What is the story behind Dave Leduc's Lethwei tattoos. Budo Dragon. 14 February 2022. Archived from the original on 5 September 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  2. ^ Paquette, David (February 2008). "Tattoo not Taboo". The Irrawaddy. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  3. ^ a b Cochrane, Henry Park (1904). Among the Burmans: A Record of Fifteen Years of Work and Its Fruitage. Judson Press.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Gait, Edward Albert (1902). Census of India, 1901. Vol. 12. Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing.
  5. .
  6. ^ .
  7. from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  8. ^ a b c d Thanegi. "Tattoo Traditions in Myanmar". Enchanting Myanmar. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  9. ^ a b c d e The Baptist Missionary Magazine. Vol. 51–52. American Baptist Foreign Mission Society. 1871. pp. 107–108.
  10. ^ Balfour, Edward (1885). The Encyclopædia of India and of Eastern and Southern Asia. Vol. 2. Harvard University. p. 291.
  11. ^ Scott, James George (1910). The Burman: his life and notions. Macmillan and Co. pp. 39–47.
  12. ^ BURMESE TATTOOS "HTOE KWIN" မြန်မာ့တက်တူး. Jonny Says. 10 August 2021. Archived from the original on 5 September 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2022. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  13. ^ Burmese Lethwei tattoos – Htoe Kwin. Lethwei World. 6 August 2022. Archived from the original on 5 September 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2022. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  14. .
  15. ^ Myo Myo. "A symbol of Chin identity fades away". Myanmar Times. Archived from the original on 14 February 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  16. ^ "Tattooed Chin women lure tourists to remote region". Myanmar Times. 25 April 2011. Archived from the original on 8 October 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  17. ^ Nyein Ei Ei Htwe (17 November 2013). "Chin tattoos: a fading tradition". Myanmar Times. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2015.