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Tattoos in the Philippines


Prince Giolo (1697)


Early Bontoc tattoos


Traditional Ibaloi burik, drawing by Hans Meyer, ca. 1880. Many figurative designs such as lizards, snakes, scorpions, and anthropomorphs are incorporated into the overall burik design. Although many Ibaloi headhunters took heads home in their day, only the bravest warriors drank from the sacred rice wine and human brain beverage that would make them more powerful!		 Kalinga bikking (chest tattoo), ca. 1900. This chief, as evident by his complex markings, took many a head. He is fortified in a tattooed skin of centipede scales (ufug).
Kalinga bikking (chest tattoo), ca. 1900. This chief, as evident by his complex markings, took many a head. He is fortified in a tattooed skin of centipede scales (ufug).
Elaborate Bontoc Igorot tattoo, ca. 1900. Sometimes Bontoc facial tattoos also represented totems, usually of animals, which were protective in nature. 
Elaborate Bontoc Igorot tattoo, ca. 1900. Sometimes Bontoc facial tattoos also represented totems, usually of animals, which were protective in nature.		 Bontoc Igorot chaklag, ca. 1900. His facial markings indicate his status as a warrior of the highest rank.
Bontoc Igorot chaklag, ca. 1900. His facial markings indicate his status as a warrior of the highest rank.

Pintados (the painted ones)
Visayan "Pintados" (the Painted Ones)
Boxer Codex, 1590

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