I鈥檓 not sure what made me know I was never going to get a tattoo. I didn鈥檛 need to ask my parents to know that they were never going to support it owing to the fact that it鈥檚 not part of our culture and the average African parent would see those with tattoos as an immediate sign of rebellion or promiscuity. I may have thought that when I was much younger but of course I came to realize later that tattoos are an art and has nothing to do with a person鈥檚 personality.
For the most part, at least.
I came to like those I saw with it, mostly because they had really good designs to it. Butterflies, roses, italicized inscriptions of a saying you love or something you believe in...the list is endless. However, I still didn鈥檛 know what I felt about those I saw with full-sleeve tattoos or even half-sleeves. I guess my traditional Nigerian mentality where we try so hard not to fall out of line with anything our parents believe in, was still playing a part.
Then, one of my favourite K-pop musicians got a full sleeve. I鈥檇 been following BTS as a band for a long while now and since Jungkook(the guy who got the tattoos) was the youngest, it had practically been like watching him grow. And I honestly love him, his music and everything he stands for.
So when he got it. A half sleeve first, then a full sleeve, then even going on to colour it very delicately. I was in awe, not just because he looked incredible in it, but because I realized that the way I felt about him didn鈥檛 change because he got this. If anything, I loved and respected him more. And that鈥檚 how I became completely liberated and open-minded on the subject of tattoos.
I wish it鈥檚 something I realized I was cool with on my own but everyone has their paths to being open-minded and seeing one of my favourite musicians go all out on it was mine. So where tattoos are concerned, I would like to do something small but artsy and beautiful on a part of my body that I know I鈥檇 never regret for as long as I lived.
But does that mean I鈥檇 actually do it?
Nah....I don鈥檛 think so.
But this time, it has nothing to do with what people in my culture feel about it and more to do with the pain. I鈥檝e seen videos of people getting their tattoos done. I鈥檝e seen the very detailed ones too that show how the tattoo gun pierced their skin and frankly, each time I see it, I know that there鈥檚 no way I would be doing this because I doubt I鈥檇 be able to handle it.
But where body art is involved, I鈥檝e always wanted to try out henna. I鈥檝e seen ladies of my skin colour do it for occasions and all of that, and it looks glorious on them. It鈥檚 not permanent and also doesn鈥檛 hurt. I heard that people鈥檚 skin reactions to it vary and it could range from non-existent reactions to blotches on the skin or itching. I鈥檓 not sure why none of that scares me. Plus, it would get me acquainted with the sensation of having designs on my skin. Howbeit for a short period.
When it comes to body modifications, I try not to judge anyone no matter how far they go with it, because at the end of the day, it鈥檚 their body and they obviously have their reasons for it. I celebrate anyone courageous enough to do any form of modification. I鈥檓 not sure yet cause I鈥檝e not done extensive research on the subject but I think for now, a tattoo would more or less be my limit and that鈥檚 only if I can get over how painful the entire exercise would be, no matter how small.
So based on my degree of pain tolerance, that may never happen.
I actually have a good amount of pain tolerance but I know it鈥檚 a different type of pain entirely. Unless it鈥檚 not and I have it all wrong. People who have tattoos can correct me if I鈥檓 wrong or even share how the experience was. I鈥檇 love to hear all about it.
Once again, it鈥檚 been lovely sharing thoughts like this on this space, courtesy of Inleo. Do check out the amazing prompts if you鈥檙e yet to.
Jhymi馃枻
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