TATAK NG APAT NA ALON
Mark of the Four Waves Tribe
Tatak Ng Apat Na Alon is an international organization that was founded in 1998 in the midst of the Polynesian tattoo resurgence. The first Amangs (Fathers) of the tribe went to Hawaii to learn more about how the Polys were reviving the tattoos of their culture.
They felt the MANA (Sacred Energy) that was present at every turn of that journey and eventually it led them to the most righteous people of the island. It gave them the opportunity to learn about the oral history and folklore of the Polynesian culture which parallels that of the Philippines. The Amangs began to piece together this new information from their Poly family with the knowledge they had gathered from their own elders and research. This further solidified their ambitions the revive the tradition of Filipino tattoos.
The Polynesians also experienced oppression at the hands of the Europeans, yet they have fought hard to regain the wealth of their tattoo culture that was once extinct. They asked the Amangs why the Filipino people weren’t breaking the mental enslavement of colonization and reviving tattoo traditions. The Amangs had read and heard stories of ancestors practicing tattoo but no one had yet dared to step up and break free to restore this tradition. Our Polynesian cousins helped to spark the idea and fuel the creation of this tribe and its mission.
Since then, we have now grown into a group of more than 400 members worldwide. We are constantly growing, expanding our knowledge and evolving our impact on the community. Our mission is forever rooted in reviving culture and has developed into many directions.
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HOW TO GET A CUSTOM TATTOO DESIGN FROM 4 WAVES
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First, please answer the posted questionnaire. This is an important step to beginning the process of researching your background. There are 17 questions and the more thorough your answers, the better we will be able to determine the patterns to express your family’s unique story and your individual path. You will carry these markings on your skin forever so we highly encourage you to take your time while filling it out but please try to keep your attention on the question that was asked.
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Email your answers to sjtat2@hotmail.com. Please include in your email – Your name, city, and phone number, as well as, how you heard about us, where on your body you want the tattoo and why you are interested in pursuing this traditional art form. We require this information so we may know you better and understand how serious you are on this journey of reconnecting with your roots. The design fees vary based on size and location. To ensure your commitment, after we receive your email with answers, we require you to make a payment via PayPal before we begin researching and creating the design. This process can take up to 4 weeks so we ask for your patience while we create your patterns. When we are finished we will call you to schedule your tattoo appointment.
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Due to the great sacred and spiritual significance of these patterns, we will only refer you to a tattooist that is well trusted by the tribe. If you are interested in having us design your artwork, we ask that you respect our rule and work with our devoted tattoo artists.
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As we mentioned, the process can take up to 4 weeks, so we ask again for your patience and understanding as we construct a design unique to you and your family. We firmly stand in the belief that these tattoos are sacred and hold extensive meaning to the culture. These tattoos are not a fashion statement. They are rooted in an ancient culture, they hold meaning to our identity and heritage. It’s a spiritual journey and we always give it the respect it deserves.