BME: Body Modification Ezine

A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

Tattoo, Piercing, and Body Modification News, Events, and Culture

Traditional North African Tattoos?

Written by

Shannon Larratt

Check out this neat photo from Christine at Utility Company in Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada). I don’t know the story behind the photo, but I really love the mix of traditional tattoos, traditional piercings, and modern piercings on top of that.

Comments

4 responses to “Traditional North African Tattoos?”

  1. Shannon Larratt Avatar
    Shannon Larratt

    The following comments were imported from our old comment system:

    Posted on 02-27-2006 22:29:25 by Dan
    Ohhh, that’s “my shop”! I love Christine, and the tattooist Andy is great.

    Posted on 02-28-2006 00:17:36 by adwa
    i think she is ethiopian or eritrian. i am ethiopian and many of the older women in my family including my grandmother has this neck tattoo called netela (also on her hands and ethiopian characters on her arms). her mother tattooed her and was heavily tattooed herself. many east african women get these tattoos and even crosses and other designs in there faces

    Posted on 02-28-2006 14:46:45 by Z.
    Her tattoo on her neck is really something. Thanks for the information adwa, all interesting.

  2. Shannon Larratt Avatar
    Shannon Larratt

    The following comments were imported from our old comment system:

    Posted on 02-27-2006 22:29:25 by Dan
    Ohhh, that’s “my shop”! I love Christine, and the tattooist Andy is great.

    Posted on 02-28-2006 00:17:36 by adwa
    i think she is ethiopian or eritrian. i am ethiopian and many of the older women in my family including my grandmother has this neck tattoo called netela (also on her hands and ethiopian characters on her arms). her mother tattooed her and was heavily tattooed herself. many east african women get these tattoos and even crosses and other designs in there faces

    Posted on 02-28-2006 14:46:45 by Z.
    Her tattoo on her neck is really something. Thanks for the information adwa, all interesting.

  3. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    I thought netela was a form of textile worn on the head & n’qisate was the name for the tattoo on the neck? A tattoo that is claimed by tradition to of been worn by the queen of Sheba? Though I am willing to be corrected on it! 🙂

  4. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    I thought netela was a form of textile worn on the head & n’qisate was the name for the tattoo on the neck? A tattoo that is claimed by tradition to of been worn by the queen of Sheba? Though I am willing to be corrected on it! 🙂

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