According to Iban informants, the practice of tattooing was inherited from the Panngau, a group of superhumans who reside in Kalimatan (Indonesian Borneo). From these Panngau came a series of stories and legends featuring Keling and his wife, Kumang. They taught the Iban how to tattoo and find charms for successful hunting and warfare. The Ibans also went on bejalai, a search for adventure after the rice harvest. It was during bejalai the Ibans acquired the tattoos.
The instruments used are a pair of tapping sticks: a shorter, thicker striker and a slightly longer, more slender stick for holding the needles. The needles (formerly thorns were used) are wrapped together using sewing thread placed in a carved notch in the needle stick at right angles and then tied in place with the thread.
The Iban collected soot from burning damar (resin used in caulking boats). The soot keeps the tattoo from bleeding under the skin. The last ingredient added to the mixture is sugar water which acts as a base and produces a paste-like consistency.
The Iban used skilfully carved wooden blocks as stamps to place the design on the body. The pigment was spread onto the wooden blocks and stamped onto the body to guide the tattooer.
The pigment is tapped into the body by steadying the needle stick on a pillow and rapidly and consistently tapping it with the striker. The needle ricochets into the skin, effectively hammering in the pigment. The pain is excruciating.
The first tattoo a boy receives is called a giant. It is a fishhook shaped J tattooed into the inner thigh. It is used to emulate older men without causing severe pain. The second design is a pair of eggplant flowers. These are placed on the front of the shoulders. The flowers are prerequisites for animal tattoos that will be added later. The eggplants also feed the animals, and they will not attack the wearer.
There are two tattoos related to headhunting. The first is a series of dots grouped together (called a pantang jari) on the web of skin between the thumb and forefinger. (I am not sure what the second one is as the author does not explain that).
The other tattoos, ketam (crab) Kala tuang (scorpion on the thigh) and antu pala (ghost), harimau (tiger), naga (dragon) are always placed in pairs like one on an arm and a leg. Some men have an incomplete pair because of the pain involved.
One of the reasons for the tattoo is beauty and attractiveness. The tattoo is connected with the ability to withstand the pain of applying the tattoo. The ability to withstand the pain lends to the attractiveness among the females. The tattoos are applied to meld and move with the body. They become one and fuse with the muscles. For example, a flag on a western tattoo stands out while Iban tattoos blend in and add beauty to the face, neck or other parts of the body.
Tattoos are a form of empowerment. They emulate the tattoos of the Orang Panggau. They are thought to pass on superhuman strength and agility. Part of folklore tells of long past Iban men who had notable success in headhunting. These were the result of charms and tattoos of the Orang Panggau.
Protection is another form of superhuman power against animals, the crocodile chief among them. The bungai terong is thought to feed the animals while protecting the ginti forms against crocodiles for youngsters.
Bejalai plays a significant role in tattooing. The Iban men and boys would go out and collect wild rubber, and other jungle produce to trade with the Chinese on the coast. They traded for Chinese ceramic jars, brassware such as musical gongs, silver jewellery and other valuable items that became family heirlooms. After six months of travel, the party returned home with their treasures to congratulations and a longhouse full of eager listeners.
The tattoos are now made with machines and paper stencils with many different designs to choose from. The carved wooden blocks are relegated to the antiques shops and museums. The Bejalai now means going to New Guinea to work on plantations, to Singapore for construction jobs, to offshore oil rigs or enlistment in the Sarawak Rangers, an elite branch of the Malaysian military.
From: Steve Kurzman Pantang Iban: A Description and Analysis of Iban Tattooing in The Sarawak Museum Journal December 1993
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