I had a quick question about a Borneo tattoo that I have recently read about. According to the author " a tattoo from Borneo was once worn to light the path of a persons soul after death..". I have found plenty of pictures of the general styles of Borneo tattoos but I can't find one that specifically fits the bill of that description, if anyone has any information or better yet a picture of a tattoo fitting that description it would be greatly appreciated.
Borneo Tattoo
3 messages · last activity 5/9/2006
There is a specific forum dedicated to Borneon tattoos, perhaps you want to ask there. It is at RealBorneo.com http://www.realborneo.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=65
basiacally your answer is in the text. tattoos lighted your path, so the more tattoos you have, the brighter your light. there are some more myths, one saying that on the way to your afterlife you would have to pass a raging river. a log would tumble in it with at the other side a giant. if you would have enough tattoos, the giant would hold the log still for you so you could walk across. another states (from the apo kayan region where the women are tattooed) that only women with a full set can dive and pick up the presents on the riverfloor, the ones halftattooed can watch from the riverbank, the ones with no tattoo were not allowed at the river. one of the myths even talk about having to enter a big flapping pussy to go to the next level. the myth does not state it as such, but when we asked the locals about it, a big grin appeared on their face. there are many styles from borneo, most non excistent. some that are still there are from the iban and some penan and kenyah. but then they all needed them not only during their life but also on their way to the afterlife to guide their way and help make the journey easier.