The linguistic aspects common in East Africa tattoos : A photographic analysis

Abstract

Tattoos have been a form of personal expression and cultural significance across regions and communities around the world for years. East Africa, with its rich cultural heritage and diverse linguistic landscape is no exception. This study analysed 80 tattoo images as used by tattoo bearers, 20 collected in each of the four East African cities of Dar es Salaam-Tanzania, Nairobi-Kenya, Kampala-Uganda and Bujumbura-Burundi, which were categorised with regard to their linguistic status, colour, size and location on bearers’ bodies. This categorisation enabled a photograph analysis using a non-animated visual display of information typology by John Grady. Through observation, interviews, and analysis of visual data, the study uncovered visual patterns, similarities and differences in the linguistic aspects of the tattoos across East Africa. The findings indicated that plain meaning symbols and texts were the most language aspects prevalent among tattoos in East Africa as metaphors in tattoos were less noticed but reported to be on an increase as well. Medium sized and colour tattoos were the most preferred with the arm being the most ideal location to have the images applied. The study concluded that Grady’s aspects of image analysis like type, colour, size and location were found to influence the linguistic appreciation and interpretation of messages of tattoos in East Africa.