Modern Primitives

The term Modern Primitive is a contradiction in terms. It combines two elements which are, to all intents and purposes, utterly at odds with each other. It is also a term which is now commonly accepted to describe a wide group of people most obviously typified by body manipulations of all sorts, all of which are, or have been, at odds with socially accepted norms (See Polhemus for examples). The term 'modern' has been used to mean 'now'; in time; since 1500. It is synonymous with progress, the ideology upon which contemporary Western civilisation is built. 'Primitive' means first or earliest but recently has become synonymous with the terms barbarian, uncivilised, savage and crude, largely as a result of Judeo-Christian attitudes towards marking the body as laid out in the book of Leviticus. These two words, 'modern' and 'primitive', are intrinsically inter- linked, almost exact opposites of each other and when combined they produce a term which is a direct affront to the progress for which Western culture stands (Juno and Vale 1989 p157-8).

The Modern Primitive, according to Fakir Musafar, is born, not made. They act as a response to primal urges as opposed to just for 'kicks'. The primal urge in this case drives them to explore and experience the body and express themselves in ways which modern society finds hard to tolerate. The Modern Primitive seeks to overturn the Western intolerance of physical difference and achieve some form of 'higher' learning through experiencing physical sensation.

In the context of contemporary body piercing the term Modern Primitive is one which many use to describe themselves and justify their practices. Modern Primitives are attempting to change their lives, through the use of body manipulation and other 'primitive' practices, away from the ideals of Western society in order to live what they consider a more mentally and spiritually, if not physically and economically, balanced life style. The whole movement is one towards living together in harmony and acceptance of not only all people but also of the modern technical world. While many actively aspire to ideals of environmental damage limitation and preservation most can be regarded as a mix of conscientious, inactive, objectors who try to amalgamate modern, technical, Western life with environmental concerns, ideally aspiring to a symbiotic relationship between the two. Modern Primitive describes an attitude towards how to approach living in the modern world and encompasses a large range of practices, including body piercing, in an attempt to understand the human body and mind in relationship with the environment, and also to visually express that understanding and point of view.