Kristian Kabuay conducts a traditional Batok tattoo marking ceremony with hand-tapping tools.Photo courtesy of the artist.

Kristian Kabuay

Pre-colonial traditional Philippine Tattoo

 

Kristian Kabuay (right) conducts a traditional Batok tattoo marking ceremony with hand-tapping tools.

Kristian Kubuay of Oakland, is an artist/entrepreneur/futurist specializing in endangered writing systems and tattoos from the Philippines. As a leading authority for the propagation and instruction of prePhilippine scripts, he launched his own edutainment business specializing in custom art, books, events, technology, and apparel. Kristian has spoken around the world at museums, schools, and companies. His work is wide-reaching that spans across multimedia, traditional practices, and technology. He is currently working on his 8th book, 2nd documentary, education startup, and honing his traditional tattooing practice.

 


Apprenticeship Program

Iggy Mora, Oakland. Photo courtesy of the artist.
2024

Pre-colonial Philippine Tattoo with apprentice Iggy Mora

Kristian Kubay will mentor his apprentice, Iggy Mora in traditional pre-colonial Philippine tattoo practices covering a range of skills, including tool making, hand poke marking techniques, storytelling through traditional patterns, and skin stretching. By assisting as a skin stretcher at the mentor’s hand-tapping ceremonies, the apprentice will learn about the traditional symbolic patterns of the diverse ethnolinguistic groups of the Philippines.

 

 

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