Deq tattoos have a history that reaches behind recorded history, tracing back to ancient rituals and social practices that defined early communities. This ancient tattoo style belongs to the Mesopotamian cultures and the peoples who inhabit these lands, serving not only as an aesthetic form of art but also as a marker of identity, heritage, and belief systems. Tattoos and other forms of body art are a type of cultural expression shared by many communities across the world, but many of these unique cultural traditions are in danger of being lost to time and cultural hegemony, particularly as globalization spreads and the voices of indigenous practices struggle for visibility. Across the Middle East and North African regions, there is a rich tapestry of tattoo traditions, dating back thousands of years: Kurds, Turkmen, Arabs, and nomadic tribes living in Eastern Anatolia wear them, as do Arab and Amazigh women living in Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco, each group bringing its own meanings and symbolism to the tattoos they carry. “Deq” is the art of Kurdish tattooing, often passed down through generations, embodying stories of resilience and heritage. When Tanya and Thomas searched their soul and asked me to give them a special Deq symbol, I was ecstatic, as it represented not just a personal milestone for them, but also an important connection to a timeless tradition that bridges the past and present, allowing their journey to be etched into their skin in a powerful expression of cultural reclamation.
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