Inked Legacies: The Past and Present of Indonesian Tattooing
Tattoos in Indonesia have long been more than just body art. They were a language—etched into skin, carrying stories of lineage, courage, and spiritual devotion. From the intricate body markings of the Mentawai tribe to the bold designs of the Dayak warriors, tattoos once held deep societal and spiritual significance across the archipelago. But centuries of external pressures nearly erased these ancient traditions.
Today, Indonesia is witnessing a quiet resurgence of tattoo culture—one that bridges the past with the present. Yet, the journey of Indonesian tattooing has been marked by conflict, survival, and reinvention.
⏾Tattoos as Tradition: The Indigenous Ink of Indonesia
Long before Western tattooing found its way to Southeast Asia, Indonesia's indigenous communities had their own deeply embedded tattooing traditions. These tattoos were more than just adornments; they served as spiritual armor, rites of passage, and symbols of prestige. Each tribe had its own designs, meanings, and application methods—many of which have faded into history, while others persist through modern revival efforts
Mentawai Tattoos: Marks of the Soul
Traditional Mentawai Tattoos, courtesy Adam Koziol of Koziol.Gallery
The Mentawai people of Sumatra are among the oldest known tattooed communities in Indonesia. For them, tattooing—known as titi—is an integral part of their cultural identity and spiritual life. The Mentawai believe that tattoos ensure their soul remains visible after death, allowing them to be recognized by their ancestors in the afterlife. Without tattoos, they risk wandering as lost spirits.
The designs of Mentawai tattoos are deeply rooted in nature and animist beliefs. Patterns resemble waves, plants, animal tracks, and bones, symbolizing harmony between humans and the environment. Each tattoo marks a different stage of life, starting from adolescence and continuing through adulthood.
Flowing waves & plant patterns – Representing harmony between humans and nature.
Animal tracks – Marking a deep connection with the spirits of the jungle.
Bone-like structures – Signifying strength and endurance.
Sikerei tattooing using traditional techniques, Courtesy Lars Krutak
Tattooing is conducted by Sikerei, the shamans of the tribe, using hand-tapping techniques with tools made of sharpened thorns and soot-based ink. The process is lengthy, painful, and deeply ritualistic, but it is seen as an essential rite of passage. However, fewer young Mentawai choose to continue this practice today, as external influences have led to its decline.
Dayak Tattoos: Warriors & Protection
Traditional Dayak tattoo designs courtesy Job Hattur
The Dayak people of Borneo (Kalimantan) are among Indonesia’s most famous tattooed communities. Dayak tattoos were once sacred and deeply intertwined with warrior traditions. A Dayak man would earn his tattoos only after proving himself in battle, with ink serving as a talisman for protection and a mark of valor.
For warriors, tattoos were often placed on the hands, fingers, and chest, with each pattern representing different achievements. Some of the most well-known designs include:
Bunga Terung (Eggplant Flower): A swirling motif often tattooed on the shoulders, believed to grant strength and guidance.
Buaya (Crocodile): A symbol of fearlessness and the ability to navigate through life's dangers.
Burung Enggang (Hornbill Bird): A sacred representation of the connection between humans and the spirit world.
For Dayak women, tattoos were symbols of beauty and social standing. Certain patterns on the hands and legs indicated their weaving skills, a crucial trait in Dayak society. Some tattoos were believed to light the path to the afterlife, ensuring safe passage into the spirit world.
The traditional Dayak tattooing process used thorn needles dipped in soot or tree resin, tapped repeatedly into the skin. The pain was considered a test of endurance, further adding to the prestige of receiving a tattoo.
Asmat Tattoos: Connection to the Ancestors
The Asmat tribe of Papua, renowned for their intricate wood carvings and spiritual rituals, also had a rich tattooing tradition that mirrored their artistic skills. For the Asmat, tattoos were deeply tied to ancestral reverence and protection. Their designs often mimicked the carvings found on war shields, canoes, and sacred totems, signifying a connection between the living and the dead.
Spiritual guardians: Inked as protective symbols against malevolent spirits.
Warrior achievements: Only the most accomplished warriors could wear certain tattoos.
Tribal lineage: Patterns indicated which family or clan a person belonged to.
Tattooing among the Asmat was performed using hand-tapping methods, similar to the techniques found in other Austronesian cultures. However, due to external pressures, traditional tattooing has almost vanished among the Asmat. Today, efforts are being made to document and revive these markings.
Balinese Tattoo Traditions: Sacred Ink and Mystical Protection
Unlike other Indonesian tribal tattoos that were tied to warfare or social status, Balinese tattooing had a strong spiritual component. Known as mencocoh, traditional Balinese tattoos were closely linked to Hindu beliefs and mysticism.
These tattoos often depicted:
Hindu deities and wayang (shadow puppet) figures
Protective sigils called "rerajahan"
Sacred animals and mythical beings
Shamans, priests, and warriors were often the ones tattooed, as certain markings were believed to grant protection, strength, and divine favor. The placement of tattoos followed Balinese Hindu cosmology, ensuring that spiritual energy flowed correctly through the body.
Tattooing was traditionally done using hand-poking techniques, with ink derived from natural substances such as charcoal, tree sap, and herbal mixtures. However, like other tattoo traditions in Indonesia, Balinese tattooing faced decline due to external pressures.
Moi and Meyakh Tattoos: Identity and Status
In West Papua, the Moi and Meyakh tribes practiced tattooing as a rite of passage, a marker of beauty, and a display of social status. The designs varied between clans but often involved intricate geometric patterns and bold blackwork designs.
These tattoos symbolized:
Maturity and coming of age
Tribal belonging and heritage
Physical endurance and strength
Religious conversions and government restrictions in Papua have led to the near-extinction of these tattooing practices. Today, very few traditional practitioners remain.
⏾Colonialism, Religion, and the Criminalization of Tattoos
Indonesia’s transition into a modern state came at the cost of many indigenous traditions, including tattooing. The decline of traditional tattooing in Indonesia was largely driven by a combination of colonial rule, religious influence, and government policies.
During Dutch colonial rule (1600s–1949), tattooing was dismissed as a marker of the "uncivilized." Christian missionary groups in particular discouraged the practice, associating it with animism and local pagan beliefs.
Then came the growing influence of Islam, which further complicated the perception of tattoos. Islamic teachings generally view tattoos as haram (forbidden), as they alter the God-given body. As Islam became the dominant religion in Indonesia, traditional tattooing became less socially acceptable, especially in Muslim-majority areas.
By the mid-20th century, tattoos in Indonesia had become associated with criminal activity, mirroring the patterns in Singapore, Thailand, and Japan. Under Suharto’s New Order regime (1967–1998), tattooed individuals were often targeted as suspected gang members or political dissidents. The Indonesian military and police conducted mass round-ups of tattooed youth, sometimes even forcibly removing their tattoos. This period cemented a long-standing stigma against tattoos, which still lingers in some parts of society today.
⏾Modern Revival: The Changing Perception of Tattoos in Indonesia
Despite this turbulent history, tattooing in Indonesia has made a comeback in the last two decades. The urban youth, artists, and alternative subcultures have reclaimed tattooing as an expression of identity, fashion, and personal storytelling. Traditional Indonesian tattooing is also regaining in popularity fueled by artists, cultural revivalists, and tattoo enthusiasts who recognize the importance of preserving these ancient practices.
The Bali Tattoo Expo, 2024
Indonesian tattoo conventions, such as The Bali Tattoo Expo, are reviving indigenous tattooing techniques and bringing global artists together to celebrate the craft. While traditional Indonesian tattooing still faces challenges, modern Indonesian tattoo artists are incorporating tribal motifs, historical symbols, and ancient hand-tapping methods into contemporary designs. Artists specializing in Mentawai, Dayak, and Balinese styles are helping to bridge the gap between the past and the present, ensuring these cultural markings are not forgotten.
⏾From Ancient Symbols to Contemporary Expression
Tattooing in Indonesia has come full circle. Once a sacred tradition, then a symbol of crime, and now a growing art form, it continues to evolve with the times. Yet, its roots in ritual, identity, and storytelling remain unchanged.
At InkSmith, we believe tattoos are more than just ink on skin—they are living stories, cultural artifacts, and personal symbols. Whether you are drawn to traditional tribal influences, Japanese irezumi, or contemporary styles, our artists are dedicated to crafting designs that reflect your story.
If you’re inspired by the rich tattoo traditions of the past and want to create something uniquely yours, explore our artists and book a consultation today.
📍 Read more on tattoo history and culture at InkSmith Journal
