This means that if an employer challenges a worker because they have a tattoo, it will generally be dealt with in regards to an employer’s dress code and grooming standard.

For many thousands of years, tattoos were seen as a way of curing disease, protecting against spirits, showing affiliation towards certain groups/tribes, and reflecting personality traits such as bravery, courage, and social status. Rejoice remembers her mom, who had cicatrization on her face, her lips, and arms. Her mom wanted to make similar marks on Rejoice.

What do African tattoos mean?

The discussions around tattoos in a working environment are happening in many places. Recently, police minister Bheki Cele made comments explaining that the police force do not hire candidates who have tattoos. However, early 20th-century documentation suggests that there was still a sizable traditional tattoo culture throughout recent history in parts of North Africa, including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt. Tattoos In Sub-Saharan Africa With several great artists covering a wide range of styles, The Body Architects are one of the most popular studios in Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs. The shop is located just across the road from popular drinking spot Banana Jam and is well worth a visit. South Africa does not legally specify anything regarding tattoos in the Constitution or the Employment Equity Act, meaning people with tattoos are not legally protected from discrimination on these grounds.

A lot of artists and studios still uphold some of the ‘old school’ traditions of tattooing, stemming from the tumultuous biker gang era. Not just men but even the women of the many tribes of Africa wear tattoos on their bodies to mark specific events or to self-express. Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions. Therefore, it is important that thorough research is done into each tattoo design before they are inked onto the body. This is to avoid cultural misappropriation.Most within this region though decided not to disobey their faith. Throughout the centuries, strict Muslims saw (and still see) tattooing as being highly disrespectful and unholy. This is because the practice is seen as causing injury to the body, which would be seen as graffiti on a gift from god. Still, her fascination with tattoos remains. So when Dan Hunter asked to write a guest post, I knew Rejoice would enjoy it. I hope you do too. A place to get your body tattoo in Cape Town with a complete sense of home, relaxation, and comfort is The Body Architect Studio, where customer experience is a priority and key. It is one of the best tattoo parlors in Cape Town, where you will fully have the best result and value for your time and money. Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in. Tribal designs can be done in different styles but few of them top this extra cool, psychedelic-inspired style.

If gorgeous shading, soft colour, and delicate line are your thing, Chanel Ysel is the artist for you. She’s really versatile and can do pretty much any style, but she’s best known for her floral designs and watercolours. Her work is unusual and has a soft and feminine feel. The tribal men often don tattoos on significant events such as the coming of age of young men or the coronation of a new leader. The worker does not have clear ground to stand on, and has to argue on the basis that personal appearance should be protected under freedom of expression. Zen Ink is one of the best tattoo parlours, and it is located in Boksburg. A lady owns it by the name Nina Rademeyer, a Chinese native. Unlike most talented tattooists, Nina added a professional angle to her skills by studying human anatomy to get it right.

Manuela Gray owns wildfire tattoos and does not disappoint anyone when it comes to inking a Cape Town tattoo. Operating in the busy Long Street, Manuela Gray is internationally recognized because she has tattooed big names including Queen’s Roger Taylor. Carvel is a bright and fun tattoo and design studio situated in Noordhoek. The owner, Maggie, is inspired by nature, so this the perfect place for all things botanical and natural. Fine lines and delicate details are a specialty. However, we all know the importance of getting your ink done by a top-class professional who will give you a long lasting work of art . Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special. Symbol Misappropriation: Using sacred symbols or tribal markings without proper understanding or respect can be considered a form of cultural appropriation, and is frowned upon. It’s always recommended to research and understand the cultural significance of a design before getting it tattooed, especially when drawing inspiration from cultures other than your own.

Thinking of getting some new ink? Whether it’s your first time or your hundred-and-first, it’s important to find a trusted artist. To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on Thinking of getting some new ink? Whether it’s your first time or your hundred-and-first, it’s important to find a trusted artist. We asked some beautifully tattooed Capetonians who are some of their favourite artists and compiled a list of some of the best tattoo studios in Cape Town where you’ll find these artists. Humdinger Tattoo Emporium has over the years been a classic tattoo studio with a touch of perfection and royal treatment for its clients. It is one of those beautiful, immaculate, and cozy parlors to have your body inked in Pretoria. Humdinger Tattoo Emporium prides itself as an outstanding space for clients to experience exceptional tattoos, wearables, art, piercings, and more, with a focus on creating a lasting Humdinger art imprint of the highest quality on your body. It was extremely difficult for independent tattoo artists to practise the craft as equipment and materials were very scarcely available. Tattoo equipment was only imported to professional studios, with international connections, which were mainly gang controlled.Durban is undoubtedly home to some of the best tattoo parlors and tattoo artists in South Africa, and here are some of them for you if you stay in Durban or plan to travel to Durban soon. Ink It Tattoos The minister also went on to say that “when you have a tattoo, we don’t hire you because you have a tendency of being a gangster.” For centuries throughout Africa, people embraced cultural tattoo designs as a means of self-identification, expression, spiritual protection, and ritual practice. The policing of people’s bodies is something we see play out in many ways in our society, and we still have a long way to go before tattoos are regarded as ‘normal’ and inoffensive. But the modern approaches of love, expression and acceptance of both one’s identity and one’s culture means that you won’t stop seeing them.