Philippines: An image dated to around 1590 depicting two tattooed persons in the Visayan Islands. Body tattooing was an important rite of passage for men in the Visayas and was often related to head-hunting or heroism. At festivals, wrestlers wore loincloths to expose their tattoos making them appear more fierce and entreating protection from the spirit world. The first Europeans in the Philippines referred to the Visayans as ‘Los Pintados’, meaning ‘The Painted Ones’.

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Size: 3790px × 4610px
Photo credit: © Pictures From History / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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