The Last Guardians of Mentawai Tattoos
Mentawai’s tattoo tradition is on the brink of extinction after the Arat Sabulungan indigenous belief was banned in the 60s-80s.
Tempo
Edition : 13 November 2018
Uma (Mentawai traditional house) Aman Gebak Kunen. -TEMPO/Febrianti
AMAN Gebek Kunen Sabagelet’s uma (traditional Mentawai house) in the Madobak village, Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra, seems large compared to other homes in South Siberut. The 8 x 15-meter home, with a thatched roof made of sago leaves, stands next to small government-subsidized houses. Tens of pig skulls from the punen (customary celebrations) held at the house hang in a row at the entrance door. At an interior door one will find the skull
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