New York, NY, May 27, 2024 – On Friday, March 24, 2024, from 4:00-11:00 pm ET, Tampu Project hosted "Prayers in Ink" at the Bed-Stuy Art House. Tampu Project chose Goldwater Arts, the Goldwater subsidiary dedicated to sustaining and promoting cultural lifeways through artistic initiatives, to capture the vibrant celebration of Indigenous tattoo traditions. This is the second event in the cultural event series, which offers the community an immersive experience of Indigenous art and its central importance to Andean spiritual practice.
Tampu Project’s mission is to safeguard and educate about the knowledge contributions of Andean ancestral culture to humanity. This includes launching significant initiatives to foster the integration and development of indigenous communities across the Americas while ensuring a balanced coexistence between human progress and ecological preservation.
Event Highlights
The event began with a serene sound bowl healing session, setting a reflective and spiritual tone. Following this, the opening panel discussion featured renowned NYC ceremonial Indigenous and Afro-Indigenous tattoo artists. The panel delved into the rich history and significance of tattooing within Indigenous cultures.
Next, Andean Misayos Iván Wiki Poma Pachaq Misayoq-Amauta and Luz Sumaq Nina Poma, both co-founders of Tampu Project, lead the audience in a trilingual Andean ceremony and a workshop about Andean Inka Cosmovision's understandings of sacred markings, tattoos, and totems. In the flawless presentation between Quechua, Spanish, and English, the Misayos enlightened the audience about the ancient Inkan chakras, the vital roles of Pachamamaq and Pachamama, and the spiritual and cultural dimensions of tattooing for both the artist and the recipients.
"We are honored to bring you an immersive event to learn about the origins of tattooing in indigenous culture," said Iván. "Tattooing is not merely an art form; it is a profound expression of identity, spirituality, and connection to our ancestors."
The event featured a market and art exhibition showcasing Indigenous and Afro-Indigenous vendors offering a diverse selection of handmade crafts, traditional foods, and holistic wellness products, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of their communities. The evening concluded with a spirited and captivating performance by the Boriquen Ancestry Holistic Vendors group, who played bomba y plena, rumba, and other Afro-traditionalist drum-based music from the Caribbean. The fusion of spiritual reflection, cultural artistry, and community-based entrepreneurship fostered a sense of unity and shared heritage among all attendees.
The Significance of Tattooing for Indigenous Peoples
Tattooing is deeply significant in both Andean and Afro-Indigenous cultures, serving as a powerful expression of identity, spirituality, and cultural heritage. In Andean cultures, tattoos are often linked to ancient spiritual beliefs and practices. They can symbolize a connection to the cosmos and the natural world, embodying the vital roles of deities like Pachamamaq (Mother Cosmos) and Pachamama (Mother Earth). Tattoos might depict sacred symbols, animals, or celestial bodies, each carrying specific meanings and stories. These tattoos serve as personal adornments, protective talismans, and marks of social or spiritual status within the community.
For Afro-Indigenous cultures, particularly in the Caribbean and Latin America, tattooing is a blend of African and Indigenous traditions. Tattoos can signify rites of passage, ancestral lineage, and personal achievements. They often incorporate motifs representing spiritual beliefs, historical narratives, and cultural identity. These tattoos can also act as a form of resistance and resilience, preserving cultural identity against colonial and post-colonial oppression. In both overlapping cultural concepts, tattooing is more than an aesthetic practice; it is a profound narrative tool that conveys history, beliefs, and identity, fostering a sense of continuity and connection across generations.
Goldwater Ventures' Vision Meets Tampu's Vision
Through its extensive work in cultural sustainability, Goldwater Ventures brought a unique perspective on the context of tattooing within Afro-/Indigenous cultures. By collaborating with Tampu Project and similar organizations, Goldwater Ventures continues to promote and sustain these rich Afro-/Indigenous cultural traditions.
"At Goldwater Arts, our mission is to create art that sustains cultural lifeways," explained Monica Rodriguez, overseeing Goldwater Arts. "By documenting and supporting events like 'Prayers in Ink,' we aim to honor and uplift the voices and traditions of Indigenous and Afro-Indigenous communities."
"A partnership with the Tampu Project is a natural extension of our mission at Goldwater Ventures and its subsidiaries, Goldwater Arts and the Goldwater Foundation," said A. Prince Albert III, Goldwater Ventures Founder and emerging filmmaker who captured the event for the Tampu Project partners.
"Through our support, we aim to uplift and sustain cultural lifeways by providing platforms for events like 'Prayers in Ink,' which celebrate and preserve Afro-/Indigenous traditions. This collaboration resonates deeply with me, as someone of proud Afro-Indigenous ancestry. It is a profound honor to realize our vision and to mobilize our firm’s resources toward bringing forth Tampu Project's mission. Projects like this ensure that our ancestors' rich heritage is remembered and thrives in contemporary society."
Conclusion
"Prayers in Ink" celebrated resilience, identity, and cultural continuity. Through the combined efforts of the Tampu Project and Goldwater Arts, this event educates and fosters a deeper appreciation for the enduring legacy of Indigenous traditions. As the participants immersed themselves in the cultural narratives and artistic expressions, they were reminded of the powerful connections that tattoos forge between the past, present, and future. The Tampu Project's mission to safeguard and educate about Andean ancestral culture, alongside Goldwater Ventures' commitment to cultural sustainability, ensures that these invaluable traditions thrive in an ever-evolving world.
Please watch the Tampu Project's video here 👉🏽 https://youtu.be/EpsByYhrsHU/
Citation
🇺🇸 Goldwater Ventures, Goldwater Arts Captures Tampu Project's "Prayers in Ink," Celebrating Ancestral Wisdom and Indigenous Tattoo Traditions (May 27, 2024), https://www.goldwaterventures.info/post/goldwater-arts-captures-tampu-project-s-prayers-in-ink-celebrating-ancestral-wisdom-and-indigenou.
🇵🇪 Goldwater Ventures, Goldwater Arts Captura "Oraciones en Tinta" del Proyecto Tampu, Celebrando la Sabiduría Ancestral y las Tradiciones de Tatuajes Indígenas (27/05/2024), https://www.goldwaterventures.info/es/post/goldwater-arts-captura-oraciones-en-tinta-del-proyecto-tampu-celebrando-la-sabiduría-ancestral-y.
🇫🇷 Goldwater Ventures, Goldwater Arts Capture "Prayers in Ink" du Projet Tampu, Célébrant la Sagesse Ancestrale et les Traditions de Tatouages Amérindiens (27/05/2024), https://www.goldwaterventures.info/fr/post/goldwater-arts-capture-prayers-in-ink-du-projet-tampu-célébrant-la-sagesse-ancestrale-et-les-trad.
🇭🇹 Goldwater Ventures, Goldwater Arts Kaptire "Prayers in Ink" du Projet Tampu, Selebre Sajès Ansyen ak Tradisyon Tatouaj Endijèn (27/05/2024).
🇧🇷 Goldwater Ventures, Goldwater Arts Captura "Prayers in Ink" do Projeto Tampu, Celebrando a Sabedoria Ancestral e as Tradições de Tatuagem Indígena (27/05/2024).
References
Tampu Project's various online channels can be found here 👉🏽 https://linktr.ee/tampu.project?fbclid=PAAaYGFH0iDSwTDdziWMmqZ4C0INJ0SNfzA59KKSlrcTnwzLvKVy97-Bdx6KU
Link to the "Prayers in ink" Promotional Materials are here 👉🏽 https://prayersinink.square.site/product/prayers-in-ink-tattoo-ceremonial/15
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