Tattoos are much more than just aesthetics: they are identity, resistance, and memory. Although we are currently experiencing a global tattoo boom, some styles have ancient roots and a much deeper cultural significance. Such is the case with Inchunwa, traditional facial tattoos from various Native American nations, which are experiencing a resurgence thanks to a community movement led by women: the Inchunwa Project.

“Inchunwa” is a word that comes from the native languages of the Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Cherokee peoples. It refers to the facial tattoos that, for centuries, marked women's skin as a sign of identity, spirituality, and connection to the community.

The tattoos consisted of vertical lines and simple geometric patterns made with natural pigments. They were mainly done on the chin and cheeks. Each line had a meaning: maturity, strength, family unity, or tribal belonging. It was a visual and sacred language, passed down from generation to generation.

With the arrival of European colonization, this ancestral practice was banned and stigmatized. What was once a source of pride became something persecuted, and with it, an important part of cultural identity was lost.

Today, this legacy is flourishing once again thanks to indigenous women who have decided to revive the tradition. The Inchunwa Project is an initiative that organizes retreats, workshops, and community ceremonies where these tattoos are performed in a safe and respectful manner. It is not just about reviving a practice, but about reconnecting with a living spirituality, demonstrating that the past is not dead and that tradition is kept alive through body art.

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