Apo Whang-Od: The 106-Year-Old Tattoo Artist Who’s Taking the World by Storm
Apo Whang-Od, also known as Maria Oggay, has become an international sensation after gracing the cover of Vogue Philippines’ latest issue. At 106 years old, she has become the oldest person ever to appear on the cover of Vogue, and her story has sparked conversations about the beauty of aging and cultural heritage.
Heralded as the last mambabatok, a traditional Kalinga tattooist, of her generation, Apo Whang-Od has made a name for herself as a highly skilled and respected tattoo artist. She learned the ancient method of tattooing using charcoal soot and a sharp stick from her father’s mentorship when she was just 16 years old, and has since been keeping the thousand-year-old practice of batok alive in Buscalan, a remote village in the Kalinga province.
For decades, Apo Whang-Od has traveled to far and neighboring villages to imprint the sacred symbols of the Kalinga tribe signifying strength, bravery, and beauty on the skin of individuals who have crossed or are about to cross a threshold in their lives. Her traditional tapping method has helped to inspire a new generation of batok artists and driven waves of tattoo tourism to the Philippines from around the world.
Through her craft, Apo Whang-Od has been passing down her knowledge to her grandnieces, Elyang Wigan, and Grace Palicas. While mambabatok can only pass on their craft within their bloodlines, Apo Whang-Od has also tattooed people outside of her community, sparking renewed interest in the ancient practice of stick and thorn tattooing. Her commitment to the craft has been inherited by her grand-niece, Grace Palicas, who will carry on the thousand-year-old practice in Buscalan called “batok” using the same tools.
In addition to her highly esteemed craft, Apo Whang-Od’s striking image on Vogue’s cover has stunned many. The photo is meant to highlight the female gaze, and Vogue Philippines’ editor-in-chief, Bea Valdes, said the decision to feature Apo Whang-Od was unanimous among the publication’s staff. She represents the ideals of what is beautiful about Filipino culture, Valdes said. She represents the concept of inclusive beauty which recognizes the diversity of faces and forms.
It is fascinating to learn that back in the early 1900s, the act of headhunting, which was prevalent among men, was banned by the Americans. Therefore, traditionally, women were tattooed for fertility and beautification, which is why Whang-Od has tattooed more women than warriors. The tattooed elder women of Kalinga often say that when they die, they can’t take their beads and gold with them to the afterlife. They only have the markings on their body.
In conclusion, the story of Apo Whang-Od is both inspiring and captivating. Her dedication and commitment to keeping the ancient practice of batok alive have garnered international attention, and she has become a symbol of the strength and beauty of the Filipino spirit. With her grand-niece, Grace Palicas, set to carry on her legacy, the tradition of batok will continue to live on for generations to come.
