Philippines Revives Ancient Batok Tattoos

In the Cordillera region, the batok tattooing tradition—once practiced by headhunters and tribal warriors—is experiencing revival. Elder tattooist Whang-Od, at over 100 years old, has become a global icon for this practice.

Filipino youth are traveling to remote villages to receive traditional hand-tapped tattoos, viewing them as cultural treasures. This resurgence highlights the Philippines’ efforts to preserve indigenous art forms while inspiring global respect for batok.