8/13/2019 09non Verbal Commnication

1/2

Ang Babae sa Likod ng Mambabatok; Bodily Adornment and Non-Verbal

Communication

Different societies with different cultures have diverse ways of expressing theiridentity. Expression of identity or membership to a group may be observed through how

they communicate verbally and/or through non-verbal means such as facial expressions,

postures and gestures, it may also include how they dress up themselves or decorate their

bodies. According to Ottenheimer (2005), non-verbal communication is very important

since approximately 60% of our messages are relayed through non-verbal ways.

Body ornamentation, specifically tattooing is one form of non-verbal

communication. In modern societies, tattoos are usually viewed as expression of ones

identity or individuality or sometimes signify what they personally consider important. In

many traditional societies like the Tchikrin of Central Brazil, on the other hand, tattooing is

usually an expression of the persons membership to a community.Tattoos or body paints

for the Tchikrin also indicates their position of status in the community. Tattoo patterns

(how they were applied and even color) differ according to the social positions (tattoos differ

between female and male and between the different age grades especially in males) of the

members of the community (Turner, 1969).

The film Ang Babae sa Likod ng Mambabatok, which was about the old lady

Fang Od also known as the last traditional tattoo artist of Kalinga, portrays the role of

body adornment in Kalinga culture. In the film, Fang Od reminisced about the past when

she was still young and has many suitors. They also talked about how important tattoo is

back then. Men did not like women without tattoo; they usually taunted them and pushed

not to join dance and other community festivities. Individuals with tattoos are regarded with

more respect and admiration than those who do not have it. Fang Od, back then was

admired by people even though she came from a poor family. Although in some cultures, a

person must do something or reach/pass through a culturally imposed stage (rite of passage)

in order to be able to have a particular body markings or tattoo, it seemed that in Kalinga

culture, there are kind of tattoo anyone can have and immediately give them prestige. In the

film, although tattooing is part of cultural expression, it is also an expression of ones

individuality. Not only that it shows the individuals position in the society, tattoos they also

tell a story about the person wearing them, about her life experiences. Aside from the other

patterned tattoos, Fang Od has the name of one of her suitors tattooed in her arm which

8/13/2019 09non Verbal Commnication

2/2

tells the story about the one she intended to marry but was opposed by his father. Her

tattoos are expression of her individuality not just means of achieving prestige in their

society.

Meanings of messages relayed through non-verbal means differs across cultures.

Since non-verbal communications are usually culturally relative, in order to correctly

understand them, we should first try to understand the culture where they came from or

where they situated. It is true not only to body adornments or tattooing but also with other

form of non-verbal messages. Our own understanding of meanings is not enough in able to

understand messages especially if they came from other context or culture.

References:

Fernea, E & Fernea, R ( ). Behind the Veil

Ottenheimer, H.J. (2005). The Anthropology of Language: An Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology.

Chap. 6. Wadsworth Publishing Co.

Turner, T (1969). Cosmetics: The Language of Bodily Adornment