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Three young women of the Kalabit tribe, Borneo, SE Asia
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Three young women of the Kalabit tribe, Borneo, SE Asia
Three young women of the Kalabit (Kelabit) tribe, Borneo, SE Asia (then part of the British Empire) -- women of this tribe are all tattooed when they reach the age of sixteen, with zigzag and other geometrical designs.
1922
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Media ID 23081650
© Mary Evans Picture Library
Body Borneo Geometrical Sixteen Tattoo Tattooed Tattoos Teenage Teenager Teenagers Today Tribal Tribes Zigzag 1922 Racial
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In this evocative black-and-white photograph, three young women of the Kalabit tribe, native to the highlands of Borneo in Southeast Asia, proudly display their intricate tattoos. The Kalabit people, also known as the Kelabit, were a tribal group living in the British Empire's protectorate of Sarawak during the 1920s. The Kalabit women were renowned for their distinctive body art, which they received upon reaching the age of sixteen. The tattoos were applied using a sharp bone needle and a mixture of charcoal and oil. The designs were primarily geometric, featuring zigzag patterns, triangles, and other abstract motifs. These tattoos were believed to signify a woman's transition into adulthood and her readiness for marriage. The women in this photograph wear traditional Kalabit costumes, consisting of a long, pleated skirt made from bark cloth and a blouse adorned with beads and shells. Their hair is styled in elaborate braids, adorned with feathers and other natural materials. The photograph was taken in 1922, during a time when the influence of Western culture was beginning to spread throughout Borneo. The Kalabit people, like many other indigenous tribes, were facing significant cultural changes as a result of colonialism and globalization. This photograph offers a glimpse into a vanishing way of life, one that celebrated the unique artistic traditions and cultural heritage of the Kalabit people. Today, the Kalabit people continue to preserve their traditions, including their distinctive tattoos, which have become a source of pride and identity for the community. The photograph serves as a reminder of the rich cultural diversity that exists in the world and the importance of preserving it for future generations.
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