| Tattooing
Tattooing is fairly common in the Naga tribes. Among
the Konyaks, Changs and Phoms both men and women are tattooed. Among the
Aos and Sangtams, only women are tattooed.
The Konyaks usually tattoo their faces. In earlier days they could
do so only after they had taken a head, but this restriction does not
apply no longer. The Phoms tattoo their women only on the legs, but an
Ao woman could be tattooed anywhere from face downward to the legs.
A girl, after she is tattooed, becomes a full fledged member of the community.
Henceforth she is allowed to grow her hair, and she must also observe
the food restrictions in the clan. |
