The Cause of Negative Stigma Surrounding Tattoos in Indonesia
Did you ever wonder what it was like to have a tattoo during the Soeharto’s regime, when a single inked mark could mean your life was at the mercy of a bullet?
Even though those days are long gone, the bad stigma of getting tattooed is still deeply rooted in Indonesia. Despite their rising popularity as a form of self-expression and artistry, people who have tattoos in Indonesia still bear the weight of social stigma, religious reservations, and also professional skepticism.
It was during the New Order era that tattoos started to carry a negative social stigma in Indonesia. Under President Soeharto, tattoos were forbidden. If you had a tattoo back then, not only would you be immediately seen as a criminal, but you’d also be a threat to state security, and that meant your life didn’t matter in the eyes of the law.
It was in this era, the term Petrus (mysterious shooter) was known. At that time the corpses of the victims would be interpreted as criminals or thugs. According to the journal “State of Fear: Controlling the Criminal Contagion in Suharto’s New Order” by Joshua Barker. That the victims were executed in quiet places at night with close-range shots to their chests and heads. The bodies of the victims were dumped in places that could cause terror, and it was all about sending a message to the public to stay on the right side of the government. That’s why in ‘today’s society, tattoos carry a negative stigma, reminiscent of the oppressive regime that once loomed over the nation.
Apart from the perception of tattoos since the New Order era, religious stigma is also a strong motive in society’s belief that tattoos are negative. Because Indonesia is a Muslim-majority country, Muslim religious beliefs significantly influence the perceptions of tattoos, as these are considered ‘haram’ in the Islamic faith.
In the mosaic of religious perspectives, where tattoos carry diverse meanings, a common thread weaves through societal perception: despite their acceptance in other faiths, those with tattoos are often branded as uncivilized and perceived to defy divine ordinances.
The widespread negative stereotypes associated with people who have tattoos create significant challenges for them to live a decent life. In terms of finding a job, some applicants are constantly rejected by companies because of concerns about their personal appearance, including the cleanliness of their bodies, and a general lack of trust by employers towards people who have tattoos.
Although for some people tattoos are considered a form of self-expression, there are still others who think that tattoos are a symbol of rebellion, irresponsibility, and feel that it can make a negative image of the company or brand.
In conclusion, within Indonesia’s cultural tapestry, tattoos stand at a crossroads of contemplation, their essence debated between preservation and prejudice. On the one hand, Indonesia has a long-standing tattoo culture that needs to be preserved. Conversely, they also bear the weight of societal censure, stained with the shades of religious censure and unfounded assumptions of criminal intent, casting shadows upon their artistic allure. It is up to the Indonesian society to recognise and celebrate the rich legacy of tattoo art, while working to dispel the unfounded fears that tarnish its beauty.
