Tattoo culture: Nairobi youth speak on stigma around ‘body modifications’

“It’s the first thing I did after completing my high school studies,” says Danielle who works as a receptionist in one of the tour companies.

Like Daniella, a number of young men and women in Nairobi are rushing to get inked on various parts of their bodies; some even very conservative parts of their bodies.

Silently, however, tattoos, which many youths consider harmless fun, is causing muted conflict between parents, potential employers and tattoo lovers.

Toni is only 21 years old. Already, he has three pieces of tattoos; one on the side of his face, just above his cheek, and the other two are competing for space on his neck – almost strangling him.

Toni says the tattoos are permanent – and have become part of his life.

“My parents have never forgiven me. I remember my mother asking me to never step into her house unless I got rid of the tattoos. I kept them,” says Toni – adding that his tattoos may have ‘denied him some job opportunities'.

“I remember attending this job interview, and the first question they asked was why I had a tattoo. The interview turned from a job interview, to some form of DCI interrogation about my character. There is this old lady who kept looking at me with pursed lips. I could tell my tattoos disgusted her. I didn’t get the job,” he says.   

Maryanne – who also has a tattoo on her hand, and a piercing on her tongue – is concerned that the society is treating her ilk ‘differently’.

“Right from our homes, our families, we feel the discrimination. There is this feeling among people that tattoos do not add value or beauty to your body. That they only mess up a beautiful body as created by God,” she says.

Some of the youth with tattoos said they no longer attend church – and if they do – they have to cover themselves up. Those that cannot conceal them, would rather stay at home.

“Imagine attending a church and the entire sermon is just about tattoos and piercings. I would rather stay at home, or go where I am welcome and accepted,” said Maryanne.

Then there are those who regret having tattoos – like Daniella – who has a tattoo of her ex-boyfriend’s face inked on her back.

 “I guess I was young and naïve. I wish I didn’t do it,” says Danielle. 

She also has a tiny bird tattoo just above her left breast, but which she has learned to cover. She got the tattoo immediately after finishing high school – and she blames it on peer pressure.

She tried to change the tattoo of her boyfriend's face into a flower, but the tattoo artist she contracted did such a bad job it ended up looking like a hurriedly cut tree stamp.

Although there is that feeling that tattoos are 'meaningless', especially among the conservative, many young men (and women) have made a living out of inking – and consider it a form of art that should be embraced.

“The fact that you don't like tattoo does not make it wrong. This is art just like music, dance or painting,” says Nicolas (Nico) who has a tattoo kiosk in Embakasi.

“The youth should be supported, not demonised just because of a tattoo,” he says, adding that tattoo is one of the most misunderstood form of art.