How Chamorros are reconnecting with their culture through tattoos

Photo: Cassie Ordonio/HPR. Retrieved from hawaiipublicradio.org

While tattoos have existed in the Pacific Islands for thousands of years, they have not been recorded among Indigenous Chamorros.

But Urbano said tattoos inspired by the ancient ceramic art form have increased in popularity over the last five years among Chamorros in the diaspora and the Mariana Islands who want to represent their culture in a contemporary way.

“The best way to do that is with tattoos,” he said. “They’re looking for a sense of home and to have home with them at all times.”

Although there is no account of the Mariana Islands having a tattoo lineage, Chamorro artists must interpret what these patterns mean and where to place them on their bodies.

Photo: Cassie Ordonio/HPR. Retrieved from hawaiipublicradio.org

While tattoos have existed in the Pacific Islands for thousands of years, they have not been recorded among Indigenous Chamorros.

“The best way to do that is with tattoos,” he said. “They’re looking for a sense of home and to have home with them at all times.”

Although there is no account of the Mariana Islands having a tattoo lineage, Chamorro artists must interpret what these patterns mean and where to place them on their bodies.