Hawaii-based Filipina tattoo artist keeps ‘batok’ culture alive
Photo from nataliarxs/Instagram
Much has been written and said about Apo Whang-od, the 106-year-old Indigenous tattoo artist from Kalinga. So much so that it was recently showcased to the rest of the world when Miss Universe Philippines 2023, Michelle Dee, wore an evening gown inspired by her on the Miss Universe finals stage.
The Philippines has a heritage deeply intertwined with the art of Indigenous tattooing. Among the various traditional tattoo practices, one that stands out prominently is “batok,” an ancient form of body art that has been an integral part of the country’s Indigenous cultures for centuries.
Aside from Whang-od, Natalia Roxas, a Filipino tattoo practitioner based in O’ahu, Hawaii, keeps this culture alive as she also does the said traditional method of hand-tapping tattoos.
How did Natalia Roxas’ journey as a “batok” artist begin?
While working in the food industry through Filipino Kitchen, she had the opportunity to delve deeper into her culture, explore gastronomy, and cook for her community.
According to her official website, during this period, she had the opportunity to meet Lane Wilcken, a cultural tattoo artist and advocate for the critically endangered practice of “batok.”
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Through this encounter, she gained valuable insights into the pre-colonial practices of tattooing in the country.
She traveled with him full-time, attending his lectures, and actively participating in numerous “batok” ceremonies. This hands-on experience played a pivotal role in her immersion and served as the inspiration for her to expertly practice the art in her community since April 2022.
How is she preserving the authenticity of this culture?
But what sets this Filipina artist apart in this rarefied circle of practitioners is her choice to use traditional bone tools for the intricate hand-tapping process.
It’s a testament to her commitment to preserving the authenticity of the practice and honoring its historical roots.
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“My intention is to be a servant to the community that reconnects descendants to ancestral knowledge, practice, and traditions,” she expressed in her blog.
More than just tattooing, the “batok” ceremony, extending over hours, becomes a sacred and safe space where personal narratives are shared, and the spiritual significance woven into the tattoos is explored, as Roxas engages her clients in a dialogue before starting.
“I do this with reverence and in deep ritual as passed down to me by my teachers. If my work resonates with you, may our paths lead us to one another,” she added.
It goes beyond the superficial as she delves into the reasons behind their desire for ancestral markings, their family origins, and the languages spoken in their homes.
“The motifs received depend on where your family lineage is rooted in the Philippines,” she explained, highlighting the importance of learning the regions where the family originates in the country.
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“By learning the regions and ethnolinguistic groups you belong to, the appropriate palette of motifs can be determined for you.”
In her hands, the legacy of “batok” thrives, resonating across oceans and cultures, ensuring that the stories etched onto the skin are not only preserved but celebrated in Hawaii and beyond.
