Tattooing and it's Emergence in Culture

Natasha Bissesseur

The body is the physical link between ourselves, our souls, and the outside world .

It is the medium through which we most directly project ourselves in social life; our use and presentation of it say precise things about the society in which we live, the degree of our integration within that society, and the controls which society exerts over the inner man. -Victoria Ebin, The Body Decorated

On this page you can find out how tattooing started and the significance of this body art to the cultures that I have researched. You'll also discover how and why the tattoo has crept into our western culture and the role it plays on the bearer.

Maori Tattoos: Here you can see the culture in closer detail and find out the importance of their art form.
People of Samoa: Click on this and you'll find out how the Samoans have saved their culture by keeping their tattoo customs active.
What happened to these tribes?Find out why these tribes stopped tattooing for a while.
What did the Detroit News have to say?

Please email me if you have any questions.