SCARRING SKIN FOR SURVIVAL: DISCERNING THE TATTOO OF KARBI WOMEN

Registration ID: IJNRD_226263

Published ID: IJNRD2408039

DOI: http://doi.one/10.1729/Journal.40913

DR. HUMI THAOSEN

duk, Karbi, tattoo, scarring, disfigurement, facial mark, gender dichotomy, gender socialization

Tattoo and bodily markings have been prevalent in human societies since time immemorial. During the Burmese invasion in Assam between 1817 and 1825, the Karbi women marked their faces with a black scar called ‘duk’. This scarring on the face is an act of ‘disfigurement’, made as a remedy to save themselves from being captured and sexually tortured by the then ‘ruthless’ Burmese invaders. Fortunately, this facial marking of duk has enabled these women to survive. The present study tries to understand the significance and representation that this mark holds up until the present day, even after it is no longer in practice. Interestingly, the same act of scarring or disfigurement on the women’s face, has earned them honour, respect, and even being preferred for marriage, by the members of the Karbi society. Today, young Karbi women apply the temporary facial marks as a replicatory depiction of duk during special occasions, as tribute to the original duk-marked women for their bravery and honour in history. Further, this study also makes an attempt at gendering the duk mark in particular and indigenous tattoos, in general, analysing the gender dichotomies. Methods of non-participant observation, semi-structured interview, content-analysis and case studies were applied for this study.

Published Paper   E-Certificate

DR. HUMI THAOSEN (August-2024). SCARRING SKIN FOR SURVIVAL: DISCERNING THE TATTOO OF KARBI WOMEN. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NOVEL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, 9(8), a425-a432. http://doi.one/10.1729/Journal.40913

Volume 9 Issue 8, August-2024

Pages : a425-a432

Paper Reg. ID: IJNRD_226263

Published Paper Id: IJNRD2408039

Downloads: 000121992

Research Area: Social Science and Humanities 

Country: Guwahati, Assam, India

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Published Paper URL: https://ijnrd.org/viewpaperforall?paper=IJNRD2408039

Crossref DOI: http://doi.one/10.1729/Journal.40913

Journal Name: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NOVEL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT(IJNRD)

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