Beschrijving
This illustration explores the tradition of Bedouin tattoos, with a particular focus on those worn by my great-grandmother. My family originates from the Raqqa region in Syria, where Bedouin culture forms part of a wider network that extends across Southwest Asia and North Africa. The word “Bedouin” comes from the Arabic term “badawi,” meaning desert dweller, and refers to Arab nomadic and semi-nomadic communities that have historically lived in arid environments. These tattoos were not simply ornamental. They served as visual signifiers of tribal belonging, social status, and rights to passage.
Today, this tradition is largely disappearing due to the lasting effects of colonization, religious repression, systemic discrimination, and the ongoing processes of urbanization and cultural assimilation. Tattooed Bedouin women are often viewed with suspicion or shame, and the practice itself has been pushed into obscurity.
Using a combination of archival research and fabulation, I create illustrations that do not seek historical accuracy but rather emotional and cultural truth. Fabulation allows me to imagine what has been lost or silenced, constructing images that bridge memory, fiction, and speculation.
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