Moi Tribe Tattoos

Currently only the older generation of the Moi tribe in Sorong Regency, West Papua are still applying tattoos on their bodies, while the younger generation is no longer applying tattoos, and is estimated to be in danger of extinction.

The original tribe living in Sorong Regency is the Moi tribe. The Moi tribe are scattered in almost all areas of Sorong Regency and other expansion areas in the area.

The area of ​​Sorong Regency is known as the Moi Tribe's customary law area or better known as the Malamoi Tribe. Tattoos for the Moi tribe are body decorations, and the material for tattooing is in the form of fine charcoal (yak kibi) from burning wood mixed with langsat tree sap (loum).

Then, the thorns from the sago tree or fish bones are dipped in a mixture of langsat sap and charcoal which are then stabbed on the body part for which the traditional tattoo motif will be made, it can be on the chest, cheeks, eyelids, calves and hips as well as the back of the body.

This tattoo motif is in the form of geometric motifs or circular lines and points in the form of a conical triangle or tridiagonal lined up.

As for the tattoo design, it is adjusted to the narrow area of ​​the body to be tattooed, for example a tattoo on the nose will follow the shape of the nose.

The younger generation today is no longer tattooed, maybe also because of the times or the current norms and work ethics.

The traditional tattoo of the Moi tribe is a culture that must be preserved, this requires the cooperation of various parties to preserve it. Whether it's starting from indigenous peoples' institutions, the older generation of the Moi tribe, the younger generation of the Moi tribe and related services.

Preservation of traditional tattoos of the Moi tribe is by conducting research, documenting, and passing it on to the younger generation.