Celebrating body modification culture since 1994.
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I swear, when I first saw this cutting by Jonathan Martinez (while doing a guest spot at La Dolores Tattoo in Madrid, Spain), I could not bay leaf I’d never seen one like it before! Right? Because it’s a leaf, and it looks like a bay leaf, an— hey, guys? Guys, where are you all going? Aw, nuts.
See more in “Misc. Cuttings“ (Scarification)
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I actually stumbled across these photos of IAM: xbanditax performing with Psycho Cyborgs (after the break) when I was researching another post, and thought they were pretty, and hot, and thought-provoking and pretty..
Read on for a few more, but a friendly warning, they do get a little gory and bloody! Seriously, if you have a weak stomach just have a cup of tea instead (I’m not joking)..
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My friend Ferg sent me some incredible photos of a ceremony he recently took part in, read more for some amazing photos and his story. More to come soon!
I was the main participant this weekend in a male initiation ceremony at one of the nearby outstations that involved horizontal chest cutting done with a sharp (although could have been sharper and less serrated thank you very much) stone. We all danced the night before, slept, got up at sunrise, were painted, danced all along the beach to the men’s business area where I was laid down and sliced open. I was told (translated from Yolgnu Matha) the things that a man has to do from now on and after a final dance with my immediate Aboriginal family members it was off home for a well deserved hot bath.
The History Channel were there filming for three days, and the five and a half hours of footage they got will have to be condensed into about fifteen minutes for a one hour show they’re doing about traditional ceremonies around the world.
The local people have completely blown me away with their enthusiasm and energy and of course for giving me the opportunity to actually go through a traditional and authentic ritual. The younger generation got the chance to learn a bit more about a ceremony that is not being practised as much as it used to be and I got to develop a whole new level of respect and gratitude for the people I work and live with.
This has been life changing, and I’m completely serious when I say that. I’m humbled beyond words to have been able to do this and my lifetime gratitude goes to the Aboriginal people of NE Arnhem Land for organising this cultural exchange for us both and allowing me to step into their world. Their generosity has been amazing.
Ferg.
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Following up on the facial knife fight scars, here’s some chest work out of Istanbul, Turkey.
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These are the lyrics to “Little Panda McElroy” by Xiu Xiu, if it makes any difference to the way you choose to interpret the image…
See more in “Ritual Cutting“ (Ritual)
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In relation to the skewer pictures below, here are some current photos that are quite graphic on the subject. This particular photo set is from back in February, and since then the sender has healed without complication and submitted another set of similar pictures of a more recent ritual. Illustration of the depth of the cuts continues after the break.
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The remainder of the photo set of E-Vomit and her boyfriend continues after the break (and on BME/HARD in the next few days as well)… one of the few cutting entries that isn’t solo, I think?
See more in “Blood, blood, blood!“ (members only)
