Tribal Art

What is Tribal Art?

Tribal art is a term used to describe the indigenous artwork created in various areas of the world. Sometimes called native art, the most common places that people think of include Africa, Oceana (which includes Australia, Southeast Asian Islands, Micronesia, Polynesia, and Melanesia), and the Americas (North, South, and Central). Religious iconography can be included in tribal art, but often art work of currently existing religions, such as Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism, is instead put into the category of religious art. To find examples of tribal designs, you may want to pick up a copy of Judith Miller’s Tribal Art, ISBN 0-7566-1884-3.

Tribal art can be from as far back as 1500 BC, but it can also be more current, such as from tribes in Africa that were only recently discovered in the 1960s.

This type of art can include pieces with a particular function (weapons, architecture, baskets, pottery, and clothing), but is can also include items created purely for the sake of art, including statues and masks.

Motifs and Symbols

Red and black tribal tattoo

A very important thing to note is that both the type of symbol and the motifs within the symbol may have meanings. For example, a human form that contains a spirals may have dual meanings, such as marriage and power, or even marriage and solstice. The following list contains several symbols and motifs, but these can vary according to place and time.

• Birth: The birth symbol normally uses a diamond to form the pregnant woman’s body, with arms and legs represented as lines that stick out from the diamond. The symbol represents fertility and life.
• Tribes: Tribal symbols were often used to identify areas and items as being owned by particular tribes. If you are interested in getting a symbol which represents a particular tribe, be sure to do your homework on the tribe and the symbol.
• Flora and Fauna: Flora (flowers, trees, and other vegetation) and fauna (animals) were commonly seen in tribal art. Flora tends to represents life, while fauna can represent wealth or social position. Common fauna includes birds, chickens, monkeys, horses, snakes, dogs, and goats.
• Humans: Human figures that appear in tribal art tend to be exaggerated with overly large heads, hands, feet, or sex organs.
• Religion: Religious imagery may include talismans, amulets, and wards against the evil eye.
• Spirals: Spiral patterns often contain the symbolizing of rising. They may be related to the summer and winter solstice, or may be used as ways of “containing” power.
• Swastikas: This symbol is worth noting as its original meaning has been changed, and many people are unaware of its original purpose and place. The name comes from Sanskrit - “su” (good) and “asti” (to be), which was mean to translate to “well-being.” It was very prevalent in certain American Indian tribes’ artwork, and was used both by itself and as part of repeating patterns.

The above list is not complete - there are far more symbols and motifs than can be listed here. If you’re interested in a particular symbol or motif, check your library for books on the culture that you’re interested in. Research is key for tribal art symbols and motifs.

Colors in Tribal Art

Three of the most common colors from tribal art that can be represented in tattoos are black, red, and yellow. Black may be your best choice if you’re looking for a tattoo. Red symbolizes fertility is some cultures, but in others it was just an available color. Yellow is another color that was readily available to many cultures.

Tattoo Usage

Multiple tribal tattoos

Tribal art is favored for many tattoos because of the strong lines and details it often contains. For those who enjoy the clear, strong lines or the imagery, native art is the only choice when they decide to get tattooed. For examples and ideas of tattoos, please see Tribal Designs.

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