Woman with Yidįįłtoo

Yidiiltoo or Yidįįłtoo are the traditional face tattoos of Hän Gwich’in women, who are indigenous to Alaska and Canada.[1]

History

The practice dates back at least 10,000 years.[2] Traditionally girls of the Hän Gwich’in receive their first tattoos between the ages of 12 and 14, often at first menstruation.[1][3][2] Missionaries of the 1800s and 1900s banned the traditional practice along with other cultural traditions.[3][2][4]

Starting in the 2010s, some indigenous girls and women began to reclaim the tradition.[2][5][6]

Description

Typical markings include vertical lines from lower lip that extend to beneath the chin.[2] According to tattoo anthropologist Lars Krutak, the width of the lines and the spacing between them were traditionally associated with which of the nine groups of Hän Gwich’in the girl was from.[2]

Other markings may be created on the temple or cheeks.[2]

Method of application

The traditional method is a stick-and-poke using needles made from bird bones.[2] Some modern practitioners use tattoo needles.[2]

Notable wearers

Appropriation

Some non-indigenous people wear temporary markings, makeup or jewelry that mimics the traditional Yidįįłtoo. Angelina Jolie was criticized for wearing facial jewelry that mimicked Yidįįłtoo.[2]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Frey, Kaitlyn (14 December 2021). "Quannah Chasinghorse Didn't Want to Discuss Her Face Tattoo Because People 'Wouldn't Have Accepted'". People. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Allaire, Christian (2022-03-08). "In Alaska, Indigenous Women Are Reclaiming Traditional Face Tattoos". Vogue. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  3. 1 2 3 Mailhot, Terese Marie (2021-12-14). "Quannah Chasinghorse Is On a Mission". Elle. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  4. 1 2 Baker, Ariel (29 March 2022). "Zara's "Skin Love" Campaign Brings Indigenous Face Tattoos to the Masses". Yahoo News. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  5. ↑ Ryu, Jenna. "Face tattoos and our changing perception of an ancient tradition". USA Today. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  6. ↑ "With 3 bold marks, Indigenous women helped revive a once-banned tradition". NPR. 15 October 2021. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
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