Tattoos

By imprinting designs on the body through introducing pigment under the skin, symbols of tribal or totem affiliation can be made visible. Tattoos may represent positions in the tribe, ranging from the passing of the initial tests and ordeals of manhood, to the position of elder or chief. Tattoos worn by western peoples, such as by military personnel, and 'macho' youth, may express sentiments from love of mother to violent hatred of establishment classes.