Traditional Philippine Tattoo Art "Batek" Featured in Czech Republic
Filipino Indigenous tattoo artist Ate Wamz gives Czech National Mr. Martin Beiger his first Philippine traditional tattoo ("Batek or Batok") of the sun during her demonstration visit at the Embassy on o 21 July 2025.
PRAGUE 29 July 2025 - Renowned “mambabatok or mambabatek” Ate Wamz from the Cordillera region shares and demonstrates the ancient art of "batok or batek" - a significant cultural practice and art form deeply ingrained in Cordilleran culture - during her visit at the Embassy and call on Ambassador Eduardo Martin R. Meñez on 21 July 2025.
Ate Wamz is at present the only mambabatok in Benguet and is currently on a cultural tour across Europe including Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary and Germany to promote the spiritual significance of Philippine traditional tattoos, not just to the Filipino Diaspora in Europe but to the international tattoo audience as well.
“What makes Batok unique is the hand-tapping technique used to put ink into the skin. The traditional technique used to give batok is called “pagbabatok,” meaning hand-tap, as the tattoos are inked by repeatedly tapping an iron wood and lemon tree thorn dipped in ink onto the skin” Ate Wamz explained. Each Batek design i.e. centipede, snake, fern, and various geometric patterns carries a specific meaning, symbolizing healing, one’s identity and connection to nature and have been passed down from their elders, she added. END
Ate Wamz (2nd from R) calls on Ambassador Eduardo Martin R. Meñez ( 2nd from L) on 21 July 2025. Also in photo are Mrs. Marissa V. Meñez (L) and Ms. Marison Rodriguez ( R) ,Chairperson of ENFiD
Ate Wamz uses lemon thorn, water from Mt. Pulag and other indigenous materials such as soot and iron wood from Ifugao
Each tattoo design i.e. centipedes, snakes, ferns, and various geometric patterns have been passed down from their elders and carried with it a specific symbolic meaning.
Mr. Martin Beiger with Ate Wamz
For more information, visit https://www.praguepe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinCzechRepublic/ .