#Repost @larskrutak with @get_repost ・・・ Indigenous warriors of Kalimantan (Borneo) once wore fantastic tattoo motifs covering the entire surfaces of their body. For example, Dayak men of the Kahajan and Katingan rivers photographed in 1896 and drawn in 1920 possess a tattoo style no longer seen today. The central motif on their chests represents the trunk of the Garing tree; adjoining it above are two outstretched wings of the hornbill; and finally the tattooing that appears down the arms and over the shoulders represents the leaves of the areca palm. Garing trees were believed to be immortal and invulnerable, and areca leaves were used in curing rites by shamans to repel evil spirits. The hornbill, marking rank and prestige, was believed to provide protection against the intrusion of evil spirits living in the jungle. Among the Iban, figures of the hornbill (tenyalang) were often carved and propitiated with sacrifices of pigs and human heads before they were mounted on display. The spirit of the figure was thought to leave its wooden body, fly to the longhouse of the enemy, and weaken the spirit of the headhunters living there. Kayan warriors wore hornbill feathers in their war hats, an honor bestowed only to those men who had previously taken heads. Among some Dayak groups, the hornbill was also an omen creature that received communications from the god of war and other deities. Interestingly, many of the origin myths surrounding tattoo in Borneo (e.g., Kayan and Iban) are nearly equivalent to others told among Indigenous groups living in the northern Philippines and Hainan Island, China. In each of these tales, one or two particular species of bird created tattooing for the peoples of the area to appropriate for their own use. To learn more, please see my 2007 book The Tattooing Arts of Tribal Women. #borneo #borneotattoos #dayaktattoo #dayak #kalimantan #katingan #indonesia #indonesiatattoo #warriortattoo #spirits #hornbill #omens #kayan #iban #headhunters #tattoohistory #blackworktattoo #handtapping #lumholtz #hainan #coucal #arguspheasant #tattoos #tattoosleeve https://www.instagram.com/p/B-OtCeZHu17/?igshid=6p9diawiwhee