The last Kalinga tattoo artist, Whang Od

May 21, 2023 | Art, People, Social, Videos

DW Documentary takes viewers on an exhilarating journey through the remote village of Buscalan in the Philippines, where the last master of traditional, hand-tapped Filipino tattoos resides. Meet Whang Od, the 93-year-old mystic whose body is adorned with snakes and millipedes, and who uses the thorns of orange trees as needles for her art. She is sought after by young people around the world, and the documentary follows the tale of two brave young men, Charly and Egan, as they embark on a treacherous journey into the remote jungle to meet Whang Od.
Through DW Documentary, viewers experience the intensity and fascination surrounding a centuries-old tradition that captures the beauty and mystique of the Filipino tribe. But this is not merely a journey to witness the world’s last remaining practitioner of a dying art form. It’s also an exercise in courage, as the porters lead the film’s crew through a narrow path that winds through the jungle, deep down into a canyon, and finally up the mountains. The documentary becomes a testament to the willpower of its intrepid explorer and a window into the captivating cultural experience that is sure to leave audiences yearning for more.

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David B