Recently, while browsing through X, previously known as Twitter, I came across a post featuring a middle-aged woman adorned with several tattoos. Among these, a particularly striking tattoo—a beacon of hope depicted as a vigil on her leg—caught my eye.
This encounter led me to ponder the ways in which Rwandans are incorporating the art of tattooing into their practices of commemoration, and how this contrasts with traditional methods of honoring memory. Tattooing, over the centuries, has evolved into a multifaceted form of personal expression.
Today, individuals adorn their bodies with tattoos for a myriad of reasons. These can range from the aesthetic—treating the body as a canvas for art—to deeply personal symbols of one’s identity, heritage, and dreams. Tattoos often serve as tributes to loved ones or life events.
According to psychologists, the significance of a tattoo can vary greatly from one person to another, underscoring the idea that, at its core, tattooing is a form of “self-expression.”
This nuanced art form, capable of carrying an array of meanings, highlights the individual’s journey, beliefs, and experiences, encapsulating them in imagery that is both personal and
universal.
Commemorating the lives lost during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi remains a challenge for survivors. Even 30 years later, Rwanda solemnly marks the memory of the victims, with the pain, trauma, and lingering after-effects still palpable in society.
Similar to the woman featured in the post I came across, Jean Butera Nziza, a survivor, contemplates the idea of memorialization. “Growing up before 1994 positioned our generation in Rwanda to be somewhat resistant to unconventional methods of remembrance, such as tattoos,” he shares.
ForNziza, persuading his wife required effort, given her perception of tattoos as a trend more appropriate for the younger generation. Yet, for Nziza, the need to memorialize his family was powerful.
“I have no photographs of my family. I carry their names and faces in my heart, but that’s all that’s left besides my memories,” he shares. The turning point came when he spoke to someone who had just honored his daughter with a portrait tattoo.
At that moment, Nziza realized that a memorial tattoo could be a meaningful tribute to his loved ones—a lasting way to honor their memory.
“The perception of tattoos within our generation has evolved; they’re no longer as stigmatized as they once were. Although it might be challenging for some to understand, we’ve started to recognize the positive aspects of this form of commemoration. I now carry a memorial of my beloved family with me at all times, which is incredibly meaningful,” he said.
Nziza shared that his faith led him to seek a tattoo design that was minimalistic yet rich in symbolism, capturing the essence of his family. Initially contemplating the word ‘family’ as his tattoo, his artist introduced the idea of integrating angelic wings and the flame of hope, iconic of the Kwibuka period in Rwanda, along with a depiction of a time that held deep personal significance.
The proposed design was “so stunning” that he was immediately drawn to make it a permanent part of him.
The artist’s craft: creation, challenges, and significance;
Reflecting on the origins of this trend, Emmanuel Nkurunziza, also known as Sacha, the founder of Last Pharaoh’s Ink, a tattoo studio located in Kacyiru and one of many tattoo artists who have created such tattoos, recalls.
“The first request I received was in 2019, during the commemoration week. It was a unique and profound inquiry, as I had never been approached for a tattoo of this nature before. My client explained that they had struggled to find an artist who could accurately translate their vision into ink. This conversation opened my eyes to the impact and significance these memorials could hold.”
Sacha, the tattoo artist, has been in the tattoo industry for over seven years and vividly recalls this particular experience.
He explained, “She wanted a tattoo symbolizing hope, so we incorporated a flame motif alongside the names of her family members lost during the genocide. It was a deeply moving and unique tattooing moment.”
Despite the emotional weight of these experiences, Sacha emphasized the importance of staying open-minded and attentive during consultations.
He explained, “As a post-genocide generation artist, I strive to understand and respect each client’s unique story, translating their experiences into meaningful tattoo designs.” For him, each commemorative event serves as an opportunity to create art that resonates with survivors and the wider community.
He explained, Memorial tattoos have emerged as a way for individuals to pay tribute to and remember those they have lost, embedding the essence of their loved ones into their very skin.
These tattoos serve not just as art but as eternal carriers of memory, ensuring that the departed remain a constant presence in their lives.
A study featured in the 2022 edition of Death Studies, a respected journal backed by the Association for Death Education and Counseling and published by Routledge, highlights the role these tattoos play in the mourning process.
The research underscores how such tattoos offer comfort and foster a continued bond with the deceased, acting as a catalyst for emotional healing and serving as a physical emblem of remembrance.
“…tattoos offer comfort and foster a continued bond with the deceased, acting as a catalyst for emotional healing and a physical emblem of remembrance.”
Could memorial tattoos serve as an expression of a bereaved individual’s enduring relationship with the person they commemorate? This question invites us to reflect on the deep, personal
connections these tattoos can represent.
Who should consider getting one – is it a choice suited for you, for me, or for anyone drawn to such a meaningful form of remembrance?
