Hi steemians ,
I guess when people are used to seeing something, they take it for granted. Because as fascinated by tattoos as I am, I’ve seen many, many women around me with tattoos on their faces and hands, I did slightly wonder about it, but not enough to actually start asking questions. However, now I am asking questions and finding answers, for me and everyone who is wondering as well. Out of all the people I know, almost everyone’s grandmother has a tattoo on the forehead, on the hands or on the legs. My grandmother had tattoos on her hands, my mother’s grandmother had one on the forehead, and one on the chin. My grandfather’s sister also had two on her face, etc…
Amazigh face tattoos is a north Africain beautiful dying tradition.
The Amazigh or Berber are the ethnically indigenous people to North Africa and for Amazigh women, tattoos were not as much for adornment as they were a deeply sacred habit, a rite of passage every woman and girl had to go through. A spell against the evil forces out there to get them. It was a way for one to show where they belonged, to communicate, to represent. It’s a mark representing the women’s struggles, their feelings, their identity…
There are many abstract elements to Berber tattoo designs and symbols, yet many others are reoccurring , such as :
The tree – representing strength.
Seeds – representing fertility.
Frog and Spider – representing fertility and magical rites.
Snakes – representing the Phallus, fertility and healing.
Fish bones – representing water, prosperity and fertility.
The lizard – representing re birth and light.
Flies and bees – representing stamina and energy.
Diamond shapes – representing protection of personal space.
Khamsa – representing protection form the evil eye.
Amazigh tattoos are not limited only to women, in fact, some men in certain Berber tribes have tattoos too.
The photos were taken from google.com ! Follow me , am going to post my grandmother’s pictures soon 📷
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