Tunniit – the Inuit equivalent of what we usually call face and body tattoos – originates from ancient traditions and holds both spiritual and cultural significance. In recent years, Tunniit has experienced a renaissance in Greenland, as many young people have revived the traditional lines.
The Tradition and Technique Behind Tunniit
The process and method of making Tunniit is called kakiorneq in West Greenland and kagierneq in the east (both can be translated as "sewn with a needle").
The tradition of making and wearing Tunniit has mainly been passed on by Inuit women, as a sign of their spiritual responsibility and sewing skills. The kakiorneq and kagierneq techniques traditionally involve the use of a needle and sinew thread (thread made from the muscle of the reindeer's hind legs) dipped in a mixture of soot, oil and urine to create a line under the top layer of the skin. An alternative method involves the use of a sharp tool to make a small hole in the skin, followed by the application of a sooty substance to create a distinctive dot.
The most significant Tunniite for an Inuit woman is found on the face or hands, where the patterns serve as amulets with specific meanings, often linked to customs or tools. A prominent example is the sealskin needle, a crucial invention for making clothing and traditional vessels such as the qajaq and umiat.
Another important Tunniit is the soapstone amulet. During the long, harsh and dark winters, soapstone was essential for survival, as it served as the only source of light and the only way to prepare food. In the flames of the soapstone, the Inuit wished that the flame would never go out.
The Significance of a Woman's First Tunniit
According to tradition, a woman's first Tunniit was made at the time she was considered a woman, usually around the time of her first menstruation. This Tunniit on the chin called talloqut was intended to honour the sun (maliina) and could vary in appearance depending on which Inuit group she belonged to.
Tunniit Patterns and Their Meanings
The lines and patterns on the back of the hands and arms were intended to provide the community with resources for survival. The Tunniit lines on the fingers were meant to honour 'takannaaluk' - the mother of sea mammals, one of the most significant beings in Inuit mythology.
Although Tunniit were traditionally worn mainly by Inuit women, men could also be seen wearing them. Tunniit were worn to purify themselves from an incident or to make amends if they had injured an animal where they could not perform the traditions to help the animal's soul to the right place.
