To start with, tattoo is any marking or pattern drawn
on the body, which is usually done by making holes in the skin and filling them
up with colour dye. There’s no denying that wearing tattoos these days seems to
be what is in vogue; and just like every other piece of fashion, it is becoming
rampant among youths. We must not all in the name of keeping up with the Jones
do things without thinking them through. Like any other thing that has its
bearing and beginning on planet Earth, tattoo, too, has its history. The
history of tattoo can be traced as far back as when the children of Israel were
still slaves in the land of Egypt.
It is the tradition of the Egyptians to identify with
the idols they pledge allegiance to by marking symbols such as the eye of
Anubis, images of Molec, Mermaids and the likes, on their bodies; some even in
memory of the dead, who are dear to their hearts. This practice was handed down
from one generation to another, and this tradition was emulated by the children
of Israel just like they did other devilish practices found among foreign
tribes.
In Africa, this practice was popularized in the 1900’s
when knife scars were serrated on the body of slaves by their masters to
identify them in case they try to escape. The patterns that were drawn on the
body of these slaves differed from one slave to the other; so, it was easy to
identify as to who their masters were by mere looking at these patterns. It
should be noted that no free-born was marked or identified in this manner.
However, after the slave-trade era passed, some tribes in Africa retained the
practice and inculcated it as a cultural practice; that is why some of our
great grandparents have these tattoos on their bodies.
But, today, wearing
tattoo has translated into another mode of ‘fashion,’ which everyone must
patronize. It is common among celebrities, who adorn our television screens and
has contributed immensely to its ravaging effect. Today, youths want to emulate
these celebrities – throwing caution into thin air and paying defiance to the risks and significance involved.
SIGNIFICANCE
This is one fact most lovers of tattoos are ignorant
of. The first place such a mark was ever mentioned in the history of mankind
was in the Bible. “… And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him
should kill him” (Gen. 4:15).
First and foremost, tattoo is an identity of a cursed
person. The story of Cain and Abel is a very familiar one. After Cain must have
killed his brother, Abel, he was cursed and a mark set upon his forehead by the
Almighty, who tampered justice with mercy. Secondly, tattoo is a mark of
slavery, bondage, captivity – whichever adjective you choose to qualify it.
Those who had them in those days were under captivity and had no freewill of their
own; rather, they did the bidding of their masters. As we have read in history
books, even the Egyptians, who offered their children to Molec as sacrifice,
had no choice, since they were under obligation to do so. Little wonder, God
the Almighty frowned at it and gave this command to the children of Israel in,
“Do not cut your bodies for the dead, and do not mark you skin with tattoos; I
am the LORD” (Lev. 19:28 NLT).
If it were Biblical, God himself wouldn’t kick against
it. Some of these so-called celebrities, who have tattoos of skulls, flames,
axes, eyes of Anubis, pyramids and what-have-you, are only identifying with the
source through which they got their fame and fortune; and we follow suit
sheepishly because every other person is doing it, not minding the
significance. Criminals, gays, lesbians, cultists, bike gangs use these tattoos
to differentiate themselves from every other person.
HEALTH RISKS
Getting a tattoo is not as easy as removing it. In
fact, it has been proven that removing a tattoo is more expensive and painful
than getting it; and in the case of a permanent tattoo, dangerous and risky
procedures have to be used to remove it. Recent studies shows that those in the
habit of wearing tattoos stand greater risk of contracting diseases such as
cancer of the skin as well as HIV, among others. It is indeed a health risk not
worth taking.
In some higher institutions in the country, once you
have tattoo on your body, you won’t be issued an admission letter because those
who have them are believed to be rogues, criminals, cultists and irresponsible
individuals.
Why start what you can’t finish? If you are
contemplating getting a tattoo because you are now 18 years of age and above,
because your friend has one or your favourite celebrity has one, ponder on all
we have discussed so far and ask yourself if it is worth taking the risk,
bearing in mind that even God is against it. I believe you will make the right
choice today.
Enyinnaya
Iroadumba
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