The tradition of facial tattoo in Taiwan: The case of the Truku people

Abstract

The art of body marking (tattoo), is a traditional pan-Austronesian tradition that has been lost or partially lost in many countries. In the case of the Truku tribe in north eastern Taiwan, the traditional practice of facial tattoo ceased around the 1 930s and there are now only a few tribal elders (both male and female) who still bear the characteristic tribal markings. This paper reports on a research project in which a questionnaire was administered to 100 members of the Si-La-An sub-tribe of the Truku people. The findings indicate that although the respondents know that this was once a significant cultural practice within the tribe, detailed knowledge and understanding of the traditional customs and practices associated with facial tattoo is inconsistent and opinions about the value of continuing the custom vary considerably.