Like my tangle “Thorns“, the Kalinga tangle pattern step-outs were created as a tribute to traditional Filipino tattoo artistry.  The steps are simple enough to draw.  However, I find it very difficult to perfect!  I am in awe of the hand-tattoo artists who can create the necessary straight and uniform lines – in permanent ink – on a paying customer’s body.

Origin of the tangle pattern name

The oldest living Filipino tattoo master lives in the northern Luzon province of Kalinga.  Her name is Whang-Od.  You can read about her on my Thorns tangle pattern step-outs page.  The province name means “enemy”, “fighter” or “headtaker”.

A 1908 photo of a Bontoc warrior bearing a head hunter’s chaklag tattoo

1896 illustration of Igorot tribe’s tattoo patterns which are records of war exploits and status

 

Although Filipinos are classified as Asians, Filipinos are sometimes referred to as Pacific Islanders which is not entirely incorrect as the peoples share many traits and traditions.

There are many similarities between Filipino traditional tattoos and Polynesian designs.  Firstly, the tattoos were a reflection of their rank in society and also as a record of their achievements.  Secondly, the designs are similar.  Thirdly, the tools used to hand-tap them include a thorn attached to a stick and a hammer to tap it into the skin.  Lastly, in ancient Tagalog, the word for tattoos is “tatak” which is  extremely similar to the Samoan word “tatau”.