Alani Adenle is unlike many Nigerians I have seen; he is in fact very unique in his appearance because of his piercings, tattoos and dress sense. He layers his clothes with precision and wears less with grace. From a distance there is an air of grace in his stride and aura that can’t be mistaken. He is an artist in his own rights. Art can be put down on many medium and more recently the body is a new form that re occurs in modern and contemporary art.

Tattoos are no longer just an art form of the elite or associated with societal deviants. People of all ages and from all walks of life are finding their own special meaning in tattoos. Once associated only with gangs, tattoos are done between friends sharing common bonds and by individuals expressing their own uniqueness. Tattooing is modern in its form only in the tools and designs used. The concept and art of tattooing has existed throughout the centuries, beginning as early as Ancient Egypt around 2000 B.C.

Mummies have been uncovered with evidence of line and dot patterns having been tattooed on their bodies. They are mostly female mummies and the various patterns on the bodies match those etched on figurines from the same period. Some of these figures have been associated with the Goddess Hathor. One of the most famous tattooed mummies is that of Amunet, a priestess of the Goddess of Hathor.

The art of tattooing in Egypt developed from the Nubians. It matured and flourished during the Middle Kingdom and well beyond. Most of these early tattoos were done on women and for ritualistic practices.

The popularity of the tattoo remained with the military during World War II. Sailors and soldiers bore their allegiances to their country and their women with body art. They bore names of their units, ships and divisions proudly. Tattoo shops were located on docks and near military bases and tattooing flourished.

The introduction of the electric tattoo gun caused the prices to drop and tattooing to be accessible to everyone. This led the tattoo to be associated with lower classes, including circus people who often displayed extravagant facial designs and full body tattoos.

Another transformation in tattooing history came with the Hippie movement. Before and during these times, people were having peace signs, ying yangs and other symbols tattooed. Flower power was permanently placed as body art and proudly displayed. After the Hippie movement many of the tattooed held prominent jobs within the common society. No longer were tattoos for the deviants.

Post by FunFere koreye