Henna tattoos for Sinulog? Eeww...

Yuck! I hate henna tattoos.

Every time I see people, usually teenagers, line up to get some henna tattoos done, I always wonder why they want these things painted on their bodies.

For me, they’re dirty. Hugaw!

And since it is Sinulog Festival once again, henna tattoo booths spring like mushrooms everywhere. Almost every street has a group of henna artists.

Teenagers walk with pride as they show off their glorious tattoos. Some with well-crafted tribal designs, others with fierce animal patterns.

Too bad, I have to endure this sight every year.

I have nothing against henna tattoos. I even see them as an art. But why do these people enjoy these henna tattoos, especially during Sinulog?

I had the chance to meet two artists who have been doing henna tattoos for quite some time. They let me realize that henna tattoos aren’t as yucky and as dirty as I thought.

Henna tattoo artist “Jacob,” 20, affirmed that a lot really find henna tattoos dirty.  But still others want them because it’s one way of expressing one’s emotions. Doing this for five years, he says that the customers display their feelings through the designs chosen.

Most designs relate to the human form, like tribal patterns. Hence, henna tattoo artist, Intoy Corpin III, 22, calls it the “celebration of the human form!” Intoy, who has been doing henna tattoos for six years, shares that “celebrating the human form is part of the festival (Sinulog). It shows that he or she is one with the celebration.”

But more than just an expression and a celebration, “Jacob” further states that henna tattoos also have a historical angle to tell. Henna tattoos can be accounted way back to our Pintados ancestors. Our love of painting on oneself might have been derived from these people.

Finally, Intoy asserts that henna tattoos are fun, whether you’re the one painting or the one being painted upon.

Don’t call me a killjoy. After all, I still think these tattoos are dirty. But hey, my mind has been opened to new things. I realized that there are more to henna tattoos than what meets the eye. Besides, without them, Sinulog won’t be as creative and as jovial.

Do I still hate henna tattoos? Well, not as strongly as before. And right now, I’m actually enjoying watching the people lining up to get their tattoos done.

As for me, I haven’t even tried having one yet. But who knows, you might just see me someday, strolling and flaunting a tribal sun henna tattoo design.