The Women Who Used Tattoos to Save Themselves From Sexual Slavery (Full Length)

When the Japanese Imperial Army occupied countries across Southeast Asia during World War II, soldiers kidnapped thousands of young women to serve as “comfort women” or forced sex workers. But on the tiny island of Timor, local women figured out how to use the Japanese forces' apparent respect for married women against them and save themselves from sexual slavery.
These women chose to heavily tattoo themselves-thus marking them as “taken” or married according to local beliefs. The plan worked. Japanese soldiers avoided the tattooed women of Malaka, Timor, and the women were able to avoid the dark fate that hundreds of thousands of others were forced into.
Many believe that the ritual stopped taking place in the 60s when the New Order regime perpetuated the criminal stereotype for the tattooed. Today, only a few of these “tattooed women” remain alive. VICE host Kathleen Malay travelled to Malaka to hear their stories.
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[@slushiie9674]

"because you're a bad girl. a bad girl just like me" my heart exploded

[@gloomy_alex]

WHO RUINED THE 666 LIKES 😭

[@sky-6881]

666? spawn the devil

[@stillnotfound2040]

Same 😭

[@tracy9492]

She’s sounded so Cute when she said it

[@anduin3410]

you're gay?

[@wendysflute515]

"you're a bad girl, I'm a bad girl" i sobbed.

[@umaru-chan5326]

We're all bad girls >:3

[@katvogue2871]

😂😂😩😩😩😩😩

[@juliamassey7922]

It made me so teary and I don’t have the vocabulary to explain it. Maybe I don’t have to.

[@wendysflute515]

@@juliamassey7922 it was so..powerful? the way that she went through all of that and yet she still carries wood on her head, smiling and being so happy and carefree makes her the badass that i aspire to be

[@jayonatable4201]

@@umaru-chan5326 I'm a bad ~person~ ✨💅

[@biancalignov3972]

The grandma's chaotic energy is just *chef's kiss*

[@Billskye_vske]

Fr

[@banditkeef3864]

“Please invite me to your wedding” bruh that shit was mad sweet lmfao

[@rajalaireya1748]

It was ☺️

[@ashlynn1652]

Ikr shit I'd invite her anywhere with me.

[@peacechickification]

@@ashlynn1652 fr

[@mihailwarsavski8849]

The way you worded the sentence was cringe

[@Nick-dx2pt]

@@mihailwarsavski8849 HUH?????¿?¿?

[@shaniajae]

It must be an honor to be called a “badass” by an elder woman who is so strong.

[@neha-nk5cv]

ikr

[@jenc3147]

lol yeah

[@aa-bb8ws]

they would've called me a coward 💀💀💀

[@aa-bb8ws]

@@lilkandy7042 survived even tho being colonized. watching other girls being taken for sexual slavery. defending themselves with tattoos even though it hurts like hell to draw tattoos. boi, u probably don't know how hard it was back then. I probably sound like a boomer rn, but still.

[@AprilA15]

joy celine I have stick n poke tattoo and it hurts more than a tattoo in a tattoo shop it’s so painful and the place tattooed swell so bad so I know how it feels kinda

[@ayse14]

The interviewer is amazing for allowing them to tattoo her. That must've made them really proud

[@francie862]

Yep! But they must've had it planned idk??

[@christinamarie536]

It leaves her with an amazing story to tell.

[@kursten4501]

Not to be a debby downer. But that's a great way to get a disease or infection.

[@francie862]

@@kursten4501 why what??

[@dusty7313]

Korean disastrous scandals in that old days during the Vietnam War. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4XLgmNobrKhhrM/ Backward Korea military had repeated violent rapes against local women in Vietnam, and about 30,000 mixed-blood children were born. ★www.laidaihanjustice.org/ United Nations Human Rights Council, UNHRC, please blame. kzbin.info/door/IJyKrR5fayAsRLff4GHvowvideos/ Evidence of the testimony of the U.S. soldiers at the hearing kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGmxhnmPqsaae5I during the Vietnam War.

[@orangestuffcoverednut9588]

It's nice that the reporter speaks the language

[@joanner5079]

I love them

[@banjang3118]

arif mark007 OP did not mean like in a negative way. It’s just that these magazines or News outlets most of the time use someone who don’t speak the language or have NO IDEA about the country and most of the time they have a white woman report these type of informative videos.

[@7907-u8h]

@@banjang3118 and they have translator tour guides usually. I think that's what OP meant since this reporter is not doing this but instead, speaking their language to them.

[@banjang3118]

arif mark007 arif mark007 I am fully aware of the fact that she’s not full Asian. I can clearly see it. I wasn’t talking about her being a white woman or an Asian woman. I was just saying that, they usually have a white woman or man to film these type of videos and that they-I’m not saying this in a negative way, don’t know anything about the culture or speak the language. So hence, like the comment above me said, they would have a translator with them. And I also do know this is Vice’s (Asia) channel and they talk about the things around Asia but my comment was simply to say, OP thought it was nice that instead of having someone else-who would have to have a translator translate for them, the reporter in this video speaks the language-which is more convenient instead of having a translator. So @ the comment above me, I hope I cleared up my first comment to you as well. I left some huge gaps and didn’t choose the right type of wording lol.

[@lalakuma9]

Lol it's because they're both Indonesians. Although the Malaka ladies do speak a regional dialect.

[@TheHandlle]

Omg she’s so cute “do you have a husband” “no” “that makes two of us AHHHHH”

[@brice5802]

I was literally on that part-

[@mona-mo3sd]

the little scream she gave i love it😂

[@Maha-hr3ql]

@@sunsetanimator4187 no one's judging nobody

[@leenahussein778]

@@sunsetanimator4187 She's a widow though. In the beginning they said all of these women out lived their husbands

[@cleetus_]

I want to meet her sooo bad

[@kalbreezybaby7300]

These woman are so bubbly! The way she laughed when she was collecting firewood and asking if the interviewer was married was so cute

[@akudumb3021]

1. Women**😊😊 2. Yesss, omg, they’re so freaking cute zknsnxk

[@brittanynicholas1391]

I get why other women may not want to today... but I do think the people of the tribe should get the symbol of their tribe... like she did just to know, and pass on that part of the tradition and to explain why the older women did it... and make that small tattoo a tradition.

[@drdread9896]

Brittany Nicholas 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@hobbybugs1286]

Lol

[@hliaam329]

Brittany yeah i agree with that 👍💕

[@miinziiiiiii]

it’s sad that they only 'respected' the women because they assumed they’re the property of other men

[@Butterflier00]

you see that even today still... how many women do you know will lie about having a boyfriend or husband when another guy keeps hitting on them... it's an assumption that men will respect the other man's woman....

[@KaRiNa-pj9sb]

I get treated so different when I am co-parenting with my ex, people assume he is my husband and respect me...but if I'm by myself they can care less how they talk to me or they approach me.

[@laobok]

@@KaRiNa-pj9sb *can't

[@KaRiNa-pj9sb]

@@laobok What are you talking about???

[@PoizonGirl.]

Yea its still like that. Nobody disrespects a man wether single married or ho. But as we all know women are being judged for all of those reasons at times... And god beware, if her man disrespects or abuses her then its all her fault for not leaving, for doing something wrong., for making a mistake and for everything else her man does. Its her making him, according to Society 🙃 And the people start to even disrespect and bully her for his behavior. I wouldn't have believed it if it didn't happen to me. Its the biggest feeling of betrayal i ever felt. Society is trash.

[@waitingforthebus7127]

“INVITE ME TO YOUR WEDDING” How adorable is that 😭❤️😂

[@ishane]

i’d get married just so she could come

[@peacheskong2245]

@@ishane 😂😂 honestly me too. Like, I'd ask her to hook me up I'm sure she has a very handsome grandson 😂

[@ying5798]

SHE SO SWEET I LOVE HER SMILE 🥺🥺

[@arby133]

They didn’t have respect for “married women” they only had respect for their husband

[@faizaanwar3662]

it’s because they wanted virgins

[@ryuks_phatdumptruck1741]

@@faizaanwar3662 JESUS-

[@jonathanjoestar3068]

@@ryuks_phatdumptruck1741 you know that's the truth

[@el-ut8om]

@@ryuks_phatdumptruck1741 what? it’s the truth? are you like 10?

[@idkmypurposeman.3606]

@@faizaanwar3662 obviously! If you ain't a virgin you ain't pure anymore

[@Ellaenchanted20]

It’s funny how a bad girl means someone who knows their right and will not be messed with

[@UnknownUser-qv3ku]

Ok

[@rannintai-ryoku9525]

Ouch

[@selomaru]

?? that's the exact,,reason they said it ? is the meaning of bad girl/bad boy not clear lol?

[@carmaela2689]

More like, bad ass!

[@SahilKumar-zo9qx]

Lol true

[@saddaddytentacles9897]

This is my favorite reporter EVER. Not only is she awesome, she just treats them so well, and speaks the language, she tries the tradition.

[@Aorchid]

@arif mark007 yea but it's not really uncommon that there are just random reporters that don't speak the language and have to communicate with a translator so we're just appreciating the fact that she actually talks to them directly and this whole interview / documentary seems much more personal that way Edit: damn this has many likes jsjsjssj

[@decarlomadeit]

Sucks she smokes though :(

[@dinisagita8478]

actually the tribes speaks bahasa indonesia and timor language, some of them just speaks timor, but understand bahasa indonesia. while the reporter only speaks bahasa indonesia. just give you information, and she still great tho!

[@PM-of3fn]

Honestly she's my favorite too, can't wait to see more of her

[@genny3829]

Tentacle Sama Yea she is awesome but also beautiful I wouldn’t want the smoking to affect her.

[@memoalalawi8237]

Girl I fricking love this reporter, she speaks their language and tries everything out, she literally got a TATTOO OF THEIR TRIBE

[@jonathanjoestar3068]

yeah, she is showing respect!

[@yujinarukunnn7222]

Yea I think VICE is really awesome. Like one time they interviewed rebels and the reporter was even in their base

[@katpodzon9847]

It's the highest honor someone can give, as a tattoo artist this humbles me and these women are as they say "bad ass".

[@Kasiarzynka]

She is now in a way carrying a small bit of their tattoo tradition with her. I honestly thought they were just going to paint it on her or something. Mad respect.

[@indie3042]

she’s so respectful

[@delainey832]

“The tradition will die-“ Me, yelling as if I have control over morality: NOT ON MY WATCH

[@internetchild6066]

Friendly reminder not to appropriate the culture if you are not from there or don't have that blood

[@malimillions]

HELL YEAH!

[@szmeisz]

@@internetchild6066 kzbin.info/www/bejne/omHXgX2dbd2Jiqc

[@ceebee3083]

@@internetchild6066 The reporter is not from Malaka and doesn't have the tribe's blood in her and yet she has their tattoo now. Imo, everyone can draw from other cultures as long as it's respectful. Friendly reminder that you don't decide

[@amalyusli38]

it's probably best to get it done by someone from the tribe, like the reporter did.

[@Kesha102tik]

I love how you guys send out reporters who can actually speak the language and knows about the culture. Not just some American

[@animationdramanation5730]

Oh look a racist.

[@wendysflute515]

@@animationdramanation5730 Don't think they were being racist. Yeah, Americans are usually the ones sent by, any channel really, into tribes like this for interviews. But by doing so, they wouldn't be able to talk heart to heart, since most of them aren't familiar with the language. But by sending someone native [or at least familiar to the language they speak], interviewers are able to communicate and understand the people they're interviewing. Maybe the wording was just a bit off :^) (edit : this reached 969 likes?? okay but long story short; pal over here continues to joke about racism, try to excuse it bc they experienced racism, promptly realizes that they fucked up, and then tried to save themselves by saying "it's for an english essay". Which, let's be honest here what kind of grade would you get for joking about racism? anyhow blm, love y'all muah bye) (also, yes. i said americans. bc the original comment was talking about how they usually send some american instead of a native) (yes, the interviewer here needed a translator. But as an Indonesian, i could understand certain words. i don't need a translator to decipher those certain words. i could actually communicate with them, even if theres words that i don't understand. i could talk to them and they would understand bc we have a nationally recognized language. I'm not going on about how "Americans should know all languages when they interview someone" I'm saying that they should send someone who could actually communicate with the people they're interviewing)

[@animationdramanation5730]

@@wendysflute515 I wasn't being serious. I was just bored.

[@animationdramanation5730]

@Tania Hao I'm still going to joke about racism. I've experienced racism first-hand to and I just get over it personally you can either move on and let it consume you or joke about it and get on with your day.

[@sybilbrimme3187]

@@animationdramanation5730 You have to understand that not everyone's sense of humor is the same and not everyone is going to "laugh about it and go on about their day". I enjoy a bits of "dark humor" and but I don't try to push the idea that everyone around me is expected to enjoy it or shrug it off.

[@Miss_Kisa94]

When the ladies called her a "badass" and "a bad girl like me" 😂 that would honestly be one of my crowning achievements in my life lol no joke I'd put that on all my future job applications. I hope this girl is still reporting!

[@your_dad_on_vacation]

It's the same vibe as being the chosen one

[@FemkeMeurer]

same if I had her for a great grandma I would be so happy she seems very sweet

[@eddiemunsonmybeloved1635]

That woman carrying that wood on her head was so funny and cute xD

[@eostre5688]

Ikr I wish I had a grandmother like that

[@rosegerome9038]

Ikrrr

[@umaru-chan5326]

Those women were are legends

[@elizabethimperiale2430]

I know she was the cutest honest a lovely women They all are

[@metheanimallover]

I know shes such a strong person to have lived through that, but she is absolutely adorable too

[@reoahahah5687]

I’ve never seen a *elder* woman say the word “badass” xD This is the coolest and strongest grannies I’ve ever seen.

[@pupayafruit]

I was about to like until I saw "XD"

[@changedusernameaagain1676]

@@pupayafruit same

[@the.44magnumisamonster]

I love herr

[@alexsandravitch333]

No, it's actually means bitch.. Bajingan means bitch.. And I'm Indonesian, so, well..

[@ryuseiyellow]

Wel... I wasnt gonna like this but i like your XD so i will:)

[@eden8168]

Funny how by leaving the tattooed women alone, it shows that the men held "respect" for other men but couldn't be decent and leave the women alone.

[@wmmv2019]

I think it's more for the purity factor... the Japanese soldiers took the ones "untouched" they killed most local men why bother respect their *belongings*

[@Jalsren]

I don't think they actually cared if the woman was married or not. They killed and raped them regardless. I hope they don't try to whitewash what the Japanese did and reframe it as bushido bullshit.

[@Србомбоница86]

It wasn't respect ,they killed men also ,it was virgins that they wanted

[@TheDrexxus]

Japanese only like virgins. Even today in Japan, all the men want a young girl who is virginal and are significantly less attracted to and less interested in girls who have been with guys. It wasn't respect, it was disgust.

[@moonlightpalace8038]

@@wmmv2019 i hope u don't consider women as 'belongings'

[@valeriayang7946]

Nobody is talking about what a great interviewer she was, she experienced what these women go through on a much smaller scale obviously but she was willing to learn about them.

[@lilmissmonsterrr]

Actually, everyone is talking about that. Hard to find a comment stating otherwise.

[@valeriayang7946]

@@lilmissmonsterrr oh yea sorry, when I watched the video at first there were no comments about the reporter, it was filled w comments about the "bad girl" thingy

[@ine5313]

The Marias be like: Lets all be named Maria in some sort of way and not tell Florentina

[@rambutketiak]

LMAO

[@nanarchiii]

Shouldn't have laughed so hard on this thanks

[@mi-y]

Mmm Maria Mariaaa Maria Mariaaa bi naneun maria

[@volvavida7248]

Just like Olaf in Spongebob

[@StephJ0seph]

Yeah it was probably their mothers/their parents that named them though lol

[@anagpalacios8154]

Okay but she needs to invite her to her wedding, i swear 😭❤️

[@opet3757]

Ana G Palacios EXACTLYYYYY😭❤️

[@svsv5684]

I was feeling their pain,suddenly got the LAUGH :D

[@FaiGal]

Ikr 😭❤️

[@zahli26]

Ana G Palacios I wish I could invite her to my wedding 😂😭😭

[@lilith6937]

Wanted to like but was not about to break 666 likes

[@larah_m1191]

They're like those crazy grannies, that you can always talk to when you need help or advice.

[@Toniibaee]

Honestly

[@thatguy1251]

The female uncle iroh’s

[@chaii2885]

The cool grannies who always rode a motorcycle and joined a band when they were younger.

[@SmoLollipop]

Basically Eda xD

[@bassssaasuuuup]

why crazy?

[@Bubblegumsweaterrr]

As Timorese myself,thank you so much for making this video. My grandparents went through a lot when the Japanese soldier invaded their tribe. My grandfather especially went through a lot. His family were head of the tribe and even when they surrendered,some of them were still slaughtered. Even though my grandfather went through so much,also losing his son in the Indonesian invasion. He still went through and stayed strong. It's a Timorese thing I suppose,we together are resilient,courageous and strong people and it makes me happy to see videos and articles like these, recognising the shit,we Timorese people go through.

[@user-sp6qh3ld1i]

I have a question, if I was personally not a Timorese would it be disrespectful if I tattoo myself a tattoo that represented or honored your people? I really loved the tribal tattoo they did on the reporter but I don’t wanna disrespect anyone’s culture at all, I don’t wanna forget about this cultural aspect and i wanna carry a little of these women around me. Tdlr; would it be disrespectful if a non-Timorese did a tribal or inspired tattoo? I wanna learn more and actually respect your culture

[@alexbroomfield2550]

Im japanese. Do you hate japan after what your ancestors had exipirenced?

[@jackiel09]

@@alexbroomfield2550 I don’t think so but some people do. I believe that the past is the past and a certain group of people shouldn’t be judged or hated on based on what their ancestors did.

[@alexbroomfield2550]

@@jackiel09 ikr I hate those who hate old japan

[@kj6053]

@@alexbroomfield2550 What’s wrong with hating old Japan? It was a terrible place back then. Did you even see the video?

[@aidam.3845]

That granny is so feisty 🤣 she's too cute!!!

[@amys495]

4:09 her little laugh

[@SundaysChild1966]

Isn't she just lovely! So much strong spirit and spunk .. after going through such horror and still living a tough, hard-working life.

[@_scfg9293]

My type of granny.

[@illhavetaewithsugaandakook5622]

3:56 "because you are a bad girl like me" I just love grannys nowdays lol

[@hotmess2766]

Why nowadays?

[@ummnaim5862]

Because nowadays they are anti LGBTQ ..

[@illhavetaewithsugaandakook5622]

@@ummnaim5862 yeah that sucks

[@awesomeindustries9690]

Greqt where's the problem I mean everyone does lol

[@awesomeindustries9690]

Just kiddin

[@vickrice6082]

“They have all outlived their husbands” “You dont have a husband? That makes two of us HAAAAAAAA” 😂😂😂

[@helmterbang2652]

Hee HAAAAAAA are so endearing lmao

[@tatishortcake3196]

RIGHTT Ahh I love her 🥺

[@alyson_l27]

She's my hero

[@doeeyeddoll]

She was a hoot.

[@newbeginning9112]

What happened? Did he off himself? 😄🤣

[@naiyou2840]

“Thousands of young woman” They are actual children. Say it like it is. I’m going to cry :(

[@maiarobinson3931]

Depends on the culture. To them whenever a girl gets her period she's considered a young lady

[@notloust]

thats Japan for you my friend, even now the legal age is 13, child depictions are everywhere there, theyre making money out of animated CPs (and real ones ofc) and sadly noone cares about it. Everyone sees Japan as this outstanding high tech country but forgot about their dark sides.

[@Nick-dx2pt]

@@notloust Japan literally wanted to ban women in workplaces from wearing glasses because it's "not ladylike" because according to Japan only men get bad eyesight 💀💀💀

[@snatchingeveryone4929]

@@Nick-dx2pt Japan is moving mad💀

[@sandygreen2707]

“Hundreds of thousands” 0:58 That part made me cry too. Just imagine.

[@cultcity]

“you are a bad girl just like me” me: *YAAASS GRANNY YOU DA BADDEST*

[@noemi9826]

She is so cute 🥺

[@neha-nk5cv]

noemi ikr

[@fionalewis6192]

Periodt

[@kazutoraaa4134]

She a baddie 😎😎😎

[@edwards7929]

Yass bad granny

[@alyahamzah1952]

As a malay from south east asia, i grew up listening to stories from my elders about the hardship and tortures that came with the japanese occupation. I remember my grandfather telling me stories of unmarried girls being hidden by local villagers deep in the caves in the jungle for months to avoid them from being rape. One such a person was my grand aunt who was known for her beauty. Alhamdulillah she was saved from the possible sexual brutality of the japanese army by hiding in a cave where she survived by the food that villagers hid for her during her time in hiding.

[@eostre5688]

Im happy that your Grand Aunt and the other girls from that village were safe from rape

[@cheesecakelover48]

wow these are all such intriguing stories about your elderly families!

[@TheErinShaza]

Same here,my family member (great grandmother & grandma) also have affected by it..

[@Butterflier00]

write down your great aunt's story.

[@a.jerica]

Which part of Malaysia?

[@sarahhenschel1127]

How many people are named Maria? Indonesia: Yes

[@trydrinkpineapplejuice5911]

In the Philippines too 😛

[@Eiramul]

Hispanic ppl. Hold my beer*

[@AmorinMenezes99]

Just in East Part of Indonesia who majority are Christian (Catholic)

[@livinglovinR]

Same for my mom's country El Salvador -- I think half of her family is named Maria lol!

[@livinglovinR]

@@Eiramul Yep.

[@shoukohinata3435]

"Invite me in your wedding, please!" Damn my heart melted

[@coolstar7819]

Same❤️

[@putihpink2336]

Guys let me remind you, at their era there is no tattoo machine like what you guys have ever seen. They did it the most painful way..

[@unknowncat-qx2cm]

What's the most painful way?

[@mklee9187]

Cotton Cloud a needle dipped in ink

[@mklee9187]

Cotton Cloud kinda similar to stick n poke tattoos

[@unknowncat-qx2cm]

kendall jenner's leftover pasta oh damn that sounds so painful! Thanks for telling me

[@mklee9187]

@@unknowncat-qx2cm you're welcome!

[@yukacatto4430]

I'm Japanese and it was so difficult to watch this knowing what my ancestors did. But I felt it was important so finished the video. I'm so sorry 😭😭😭

[@成余骏]

Kozawa Yuka It’s super important that young Japanese know about events such as comfort women and Nanjing Massacre

[@PriusRaj]

It is important to see what has happened! It takes maturity and wisdom to get past pride and denial.

[@cuamanhong2719]

You don't need to apologise for what you had NOT done.

[@arslnadar6578]

Clementine's Thigh Gap are you from Philippines?

[@wanitooo]

@@cuamanhong2719 True and as they say, "the sin of the father is not the sin of the son" but in moments like this, I think it's a good sign that history is properly recognized, and from there we see the bridge to mend past relationships so horrible things like that never happen again. Apology is after all a sign of empathy and compassion. So good on this guy for apologizing. It is much appreciated.

[@berylsavanah9508]

So ain't nobody notice that they outlived their husbands. Women are just strong

[@alman8908]

Nevvux Rao ? Thats not the reason dear. Women naturally live a couple years longer. I doubt that every husband who died before his wife did the „fighting“.

[@vitiated1733]

Nevvux Rao actually, women live longer for scientific reasons (long story short, because they have periods)

[@idek7438]

@@vitiated1733 So at least periods have one positive effect.

[@vitiated1733]

nobita nobi oh damnn, so you’re saying i could’ve existed as literally any other species in the earth,, but i got born as one/three species of which females get periods??? 😭🖐

[@beahgg]

@nobita nobi me too... good luck, and also if you could would you give your uterus to a person who wishes to be pregnant? i know its not possible... but I just keep thinking about this

[@thefemalethunderbirdsnerd3214]

“Women tattooed themselves to save themselves from sexual slavery.” That’s clever actually.

[@rat5800]

@@alexbroomfield2550 woudl you rather be sold to sexual slavery?

[@AidenTRP]

@@alexbroomfield2550 one day you will learn

[@alyahpuli]

@@alexbroomfield2550 no you wouldn't want to. it will hurt either way but having tattoos is better than being sexually abused. that's what i think though.

[@0AngelOnTheDanceFloor0]

@@alyahpuli Give that kid a bit of time to Google what mental trauma is, they still think they know anything

[@WhatsUp36726]

@@alexbroomfield2550 I suggest you try then, i'm sure some fucked up people won't mind if you asked them. I Can assure that almost everyone will prefer death than getting sexualy abused, sexual abuse is no jokes, everyone Can have their own opinion but don't you fucking dare call their actions dumb, that's disrepectful af, you don't even know how it feel so don't you judge them.

[@CoraleenWaddell]

This was such a special video. Thank you for making it! I am Filipina and we too have a colorful tattoo culture that is sadly getting lost with the times. Hopefully younger generations will take interest and help revive the art. So much love to these ladies

[@blepmeme2496]

I love how beautiful ink on skin is!! Sadly it seems most modern Filipino parents are heavily against tattoos nowadays :(( my parents have made their distaste for large tattoos clear

[@ChaosAngel1331]

@@blepmeme2496 Really? Most of the filipino parents I know are all for tattoos and don't really care

[@kiki8792]

Holy shit we have the same last name

[@blepmeme2496]

@@ChaosAngel1331 o- lmao me and my classmates talk about all the tattoos we want but can’t have ^^”

[@tommydaape3412]

I'm getting one in less than a year

[@missjoannaofyeetyoink]

Its sad that a man respects another man and his "property" that he doesnt even know more than a woman.

[@jamespagous3954]

Yea wrong conclusion. It depends on the culture, but I think you’re ignoring the fact that it’s probably because she is NOT single and the other man could beat them tf up

[@missjoannaofyeetyoink]

@@jamespagous3954 I don't think you understand what I was trying to say. I'm talking about the fact that a lot of women have to tell other men they have a boyfriend (even though they may not) just to get them to stop harassing them.

[@jamespagous3954]

@@missjoannaofyeetyoink exactly, and I said why....

[@missjoannaofyeetyoink]

@@jamespagous3954 I mean, I don't really understand what you said in the first place. Either you worded it wrong or you just made up a dumb point. Do you mind explaining what you were trying to say?

[@nooffencebut8175]

@@jamespagous3954 tf are u on about

[@HoneyBee-lx2zu]

I’m only thirteen seconds in and I already love this lady

[@lastbraincell9357]

Ikr

[@katev37209]

Honestly, good on you for being 13 and watching educational videos on KZbin instead of influencers who post trash!!! You're obviously very smart and mature for your age 😊 keep being awesome 🥰

[@Kay-ei5pp]

@@katev37209 I think they meant like 13 seconds in the vid but I agree with your comment

[@SF-pj6xv]

@@katev37209 I agree with your comment but she might have meant seconds in the video but oh well.

[@lastbraincell9357]

@@katev37209 thank you 😊

[@kay-sp4gk]

Mariana might just be my favorite person to exist, in America its so rare to see someone this “alive” at her age

[@mascara1777]

No it's not, particularly among Greek and Italian Americans. We are spunky people.

[@boredshrimp9425]

It's because she didn't get married to a man, single women are the happiest individuals in society they also live longer when single

[@blueberrypawsome]

@@boredshrimp9425 did you even watch? They had all married and outlived their husbands

[@larrygaroth9773]

Eh, we just don’t pay enough attention to our old people.

[@abeajita]

+ Do you have a husband? - No, I dont +Oh, that makes two of us! These women are amazing

[@princessramonah21]

She's so cool grandma 😆😆😆

[@chriiiiis]

Badass old woman: A bad girl like me Me, at 1am: PERIODT QUEEN

[@beal.2702]

same but im watching this at 4 am

[@presleygreen1889]

✋10:00 PM..

[@madebyroots-venezuela4489]

23:00 🙌🏾😂

[@dlr_rosa254]

I'm here at 1am too lol

[@caydenshorter1410]

Its 2am and i laughed way too hard at this comment 😂 thank u chris 😌🤚

[@Cherrybubbles321]

One of the best things about the internet, is having the power to share these stories. We must not forget the lives that came before us. They have stories and wisdom to share and I'm very thankful that I can listen. Thank you for this video!

[@ozziew1z743]

"Oh, you're married, guess I won't abduct you even though we're invading your country"

[@mountain_hills]

It's because they were not virgins most likely.

[@gwendolynsnyder463]

It's rather disgust than respect for property.

[@TheMormonSorceress]

@@gwendolynsnyder463 Wel it worked and they left the women alone.

[@astrid5644]

@@gwendolynsnyder463 “property”

[@freshavocado727]

I know the new generation said “why would we tattoo ourselves to show that we are taken now when we are not in any danger” (the girl said something like that but I can’t remember it exactly) but I truly wish that they at least get a small tattoo honoring the strong and baddass women that had to endure all of the pain to survive as well as the strong women who couldn’t avoid the slavery instead of being tattooed for their partners.

[@ItsDarcey]

I think that sounds really nice. I myself wouldn't want to get tattooed as a way to show that I'm taken by somebody, but doing something small as a way to honor the strong & brave women before me? that sounds lovely.

[@cmak_1200]

You go get a tattoo then

[@mahilipreira8843]

I'm going to save this video. Hopefully one day I can get that tattoo in honor of those ladies. I'm only 14 so I'll have to wait a while😂

[@yumiamiyumi4181]

I wanted to get a tattoo, but a very small one, but im a pussy with needles ngl

[@jennhoff03]

You do it.

[@bubbletea4110]

I’m saying this as a Japanese person. I’m sorry that my ancestors do this to the people. I’m sorry that they thought that this was ok. And I’m sorry that not many people apologize about these things. We need to actually do something about it. Some countries in 2021 are still in war and struggling. Please stop these kinds of actions. Edit: Some people in the comments said that apologizing won’t help and should educate people. Im not educated in this specific topic so I am not able to educate people. I hope you understand.

[@linangshuan7305]

It's the first time a see a Japanese person admitting Japan mistakes and being apologetic about it. Thank you for being this one person.

[@bubbletea4110]

@@linangshuan7305 Thank you for thinking like that.

[@miapdx503]

Oh Mika, I'm a caucasian lady in America, and the atrocities we've committed, in this country and around the world are horrific. Those of us who can acknowledge these things and condemn them will hopefully keep them from ever happening again. But there are babies in concentration camps here...we are still evil. And I strongly believe in a God who will do something about it. Those with no heart, no remorse...will cry like they should have cried for the innocent ones.😔

[@peagames2002]

Perhaps remembering the history in full is more impactful than just forgiving. History classes are known to not tell everything to students in a way to not upset them on basis of their current country. You don't bear the sins of your ancestors, but it's good to have some empathy and see history in different sides.

[@earthisnotflat8531]

As a Chinese, I gotta say it's okay man. It's the past. The war is over. Now is future, no more war between us . Love to Japan ❤️🇯🇵👍

[@sallimarwa2251]

My grandma does have a tattoo on her forehead to protect herself from The French colonisation I can't imagine how much scared she's was to put her self through such pain

[@aoi_monkeyy]

Oh gosh that must have hurt so much, I'm truly sorry to read that May I ask you where do you come from?

[@sallimarwa2251]

@@aoi_monkeyy I'm from Algeria (country in north Africa) ....the French colonisation stayed from [ 1830-1962]

[@aoi_monkeyy]

@@sallimarwa2251 Oh I see, I know Algeria As a French person, I'm truely sorry for what my ancestors made to yours 🙏

[@sallimarwa2251]

@@aoi_monkeyy that's impressive thank you , I think it's time to forget the past and move forward

[@aoi_monkeyy]

@@sallimarwa2251 Yes you're right, I agree with you. Unfortunately, although it leaves scars mentally and physically, it's better to move forward for having a better future for everyone

[@irene_cn]

"I don't [have a husband]" "You don't? That makes two of us!" stop shes amazing

[@Meash0204]

"Invite me to your wedding please" Awww😭

[@sunshowere]

Considering this was uploaded 1 year ago 😭 Are they alright??

[@Meash0204]

@@sunshowere I would hope😕❤

[@arialisestrellaartistry]

Old women filled with vitality and baddassery = a future worth protecting

[@evanz2704]

Let's all hope we're gonna be those badass old ladies, showing off our rad 2020 Covid tats.

[@carax8691]

These are probably the only old ladies in the world who are sad about their daughters and granddaughters NOT getting tattooed... 😅 All jokes aside, this is an excellent video about incredible stories! Well done 👏🏻✨

[@IU_fanboy]

4:01 "do you have a husband?" "i don't" "you don't? that makes the two of us" mood

[@userNOTfound1-3]

yesssss

[@marielpare8290]

I love “thank you for meeting me” and “our pleasure” as a greeting and response. That’s so communal and sweet and I don’t know how else to explain why I love it so much

[@joycegilchrist9357]

It was real,down to earth

[@FaerieElethia]

@@joycegilchrist9357 yeah, I feel like it’s really honest

[@erniemaemalle1244]

@@joycegilchrist9357 it's calming

[@alessandrajackson3768]

I love that they use the term “bad girl” instead of something sexual or misogynistic, but rather as a way to mean a woman who won’t put up with shit! She is precious

[@alessandrajackson3768]

I want to live in their village so bad!

[@AgentK87]

"You can carry them too, because you're a bad girl like me", omg I love this woman sooo much ❤

[@dabneyscholler8495]

I do too, she's a trip!

[@MinoMicha]

For a second, I didn't recognise the language, but I listened carefully to then realised I understood and that apparently this is in my country! I feel ashamed to not know their fight

[@zerofreakshow7612]

The good thing is, you know it now. Honor those women by helping others and take pride in sharing the heritage of these proud women.

[@hzslovelyn9404]

I was also wondering what language is it since bahasa Indonesia is similar to bahasa Melayu

[@kiki29073]

I think Japan doing this especially to Korea is one of the reasons for their kidnapping so many Japanese women from Japan from the 50s to 90s. They did ot to other countries too and some men but, the others were for knowledge, skills and to teach them their individual lamguages. Most Japanese women were given to party members for either wives or concubines.

[@erikasdiary3111]

what language is this? it kinda sounds like filipino but i know it isn't

[@MinoMicha]

@@erikasdiary3111 it's Bahasa Indonesia, but they're not just using bahasa here, there's the local language as well I think

[@lovetteidk5150]

i can't imagine how they endured the pain all over their body. Women are strong, love them

[@gwendolynsnyder463]

Trust me, you'd choose bleeding everywhere for a day or two over a life of sexual slavery anyday. I have a huge fear of needles, and if I had to choose between being stabbed on my arms with needles a thousand times, and a life of forced prostitution, I'd choose being stabbed with needles into my arms a thousand times anyday.

[@freefreepalestine0107]

@Paul Smith Are you seriously comparing cold-blooded criminals to young women who were forced to tattoo themselves to escape sexual slavery? That's way too out of the line, please watch yourself. I know that men, especially in the western society nowadays have to go through quite the struggle while everyone is more focused on women's issue. But look, that gives you absolutely no right to bash these strong women who suffered like that just because of your own issues. They did nothing wrong. And you know? Dragging women down just to bring your gender up is the worst solution. Should I even call that a solution? Because it's not. It makes it worse, in fact. You doing that makes people feel like they should go out of their way even more to ignore men for their unacceptance of women's issues. You're absolutely not helping yourself and your people like that. Just accept that both genders have to go through a lot, man. Don't insult women like that. Don't degrade their problems. Women were really, really tortured in every aspect of their lives back then, no matter what their social class was. It's really insensitive of you to say those things about them when they genuinely suffered. And no one can deny that. So please don't hate women just because men's issues aren't mentioned. Maybe you should just mention men's issues more. Not in a video concerning women's suffering tho, you know that's pretty bad :/ wishing you the best of luck, I still have faith in you, I hope you can change for the better and realize that both genders issues are important, because we're all human, and us fighting about stupid stuff like that when we can just find solutions together makes us uhhh... Stupid? Oh well, I guess that's why women and men don't often get along. We argue about our differences and say that they're too many for us to get along, when actually, if we just talk about them, without shutting each other up, and *listen* to one another, we could be less different, and find a way to get along. Please think about that. Oh, and by the way, it's not "meninists".. it's "men's rights advocates", have a nice day.

[@blue1584]

@Paul Smith You’re clearly a troll with nothing better to do than be angry over nothing, since you keep commenting the same oversensitive sh*t under every comment. Has it ever occurred to you, that the only reason the majority of the comments are about women specifically, is literally because this video is about this group of elderly women. That’s it. If the video was about a different group of people (men, yakuza, Pacific Islander, etc) then the comments would be related to that group instead. So no reason to get all offended over nothing

[@gamesjuegos9567]

@Paul Smith take your ignorance elsewhere could you

[@fridayschild722]

Imagine how scared they must have felt. They went through pain in the hopes that it would save them and it did. So much courage , valor and resilience. Made me feel chocked up.

[@kutaferdi]

Japan never say sorry what they done, and never pay or support the victim after lost war. Shame on Japan.

[@kutaferdi]

Not all victim get compensation. Japan occupied all over Asia. Korea gets compensation because of back up and supports from the United State. The countries becoming communist or Neutral block after world war 2. Don't get what they deserved. And everything not about money. Pure apologies and admitted what they did is horrible and support the victim till the last breath. Japan never did that. And they keep cheering their sinister monarch family. That is disgusting

[@kiera4983]

dont generalize a whole race by what their leaders do????

[@kutaferdi]

@@kiera4983 leader represent their majority follower, German did terrible thing, they changing and improve to be good for the future, they admitted they pass as mistaken not hiding it or pretending they are never happened, this almost 1 century, Japan never willing to bow and apologies for wars victim. Tell me something that changing my mine.

[@blonk3515]

Ikr they keep denying it and wondering why people accept Germany and not them. Germany apologized soooo many times it’s ridiculous. The Japanese should really learn from them. This is why the Chinese hate them

[@Sarah-kq5lp]

If you’re implying what I think you’re implying, no country puts any economic interests in another country if they lose a war to them. America paid to rebuild Germany, Japan, Italy etc after WW2 but refused to put any interest in Vietnam. Having said that, Japan refuses to acknowledge their atrocities and refuse to teach about WW2 and other wars they have been involved in.

[@sellisny]

can i just say how many 'maria's there are

[@jenniferbakhita1452]

Come visit Timor-Leste and you'll see many more "Maria's"

[@sirilaamanda9776]

They are all Maria except 1 granny at the first intro..

[@shelsparkle2691]

Maybe they differentiate by second name

[@willydanez]

Maria is common name among Katholik Indonesian..i am muslim and i have a lot friends with name Maria..

[@ineskumar4224]

it's because it was once a Portuguese territory!

[@pixiepie1057]

I like how the reporter actually studied their tradition and culture

[@theFROZEX]

Not tryin' to be sassy but it's her actual job to do the segment like this.

[@kanggibah2761]

I think one of her parent are from there

[@arifudin9151]

Because they are from the same country lol So with your logic people from New York and doing interview on rural Texas you think they are learning new language? If course not. Because New York and Texas still US territorry.

[@Ilaihamaritra]

Its not weird for people to learn their own country culture 😅

[@dhritismita119]

"we're in this together" nani had me crying

[@exreally6794]

That's cringe

[@isosolace2665]

@@exreally6794 unlike you,rude af.

[@sen7826]

@@exreally6794 What is?

[@exreally6794]

@@sen7826 she said Nani instead of "what"

[@sen7826]

@@exreally6794 Nani means Grandma in a lot of languages, my friend. Besides that, she might be Japanese.

[@rorygogo8912]

That old woman is such a ray of sunshine! Despite the conditions she went through, she is filled with optimism and I love that!

[@jenniferl.8111]

I’m in America, and I feel that we don’t learn enough of the horrors and atrocities Japan committed during WWII, and the impact it left across Asia.

[@iambored678]

I think we morso focus on the German Nazis

[@snatchingeveryone4929]

@@iambored678 Yeah

[@sonderexpeditions]

So very true. I wasn't even aware until the end of my study abroad there. I wasn't aware of the gravity.

[@MooMoo-fw3kh]

Agree. We are guilted up the wazoo for the japanese internment camps.

[@dabneyscholler8495]

@@iambored678 It was never in the books I taught out of.

[@ratuchkh2009]

grandma : 'bajingan! *badass*' that girl : 'whats that mean?' grandma: 'cool' i cant stop laught y'll🤣 edit: THX FOR THE LIKE! LOVE U GUYS SO MUCH✨

[@aka_felix1654]

😂😂

[@bramn7506]

In Indonesia "bajingan" is a curse word 🤣🤣

[@hugosemana6042]

Di ntt bajingan itu kaya "anying" kalo di jawa, kata pujian bukan dengan arti harafiah

[@katvogue2871]

r a t o e h khnsaa 😭😭😭😭 I just saw this and I read this comment

[@meiju1563]

O boy, it actually means b***h

[@na-em8gv]

*MY CHEEKS HURT FROM SMILING SO HARD I LOVE THAT BADASS GRANDMA* 😩❤️️

[@anonymous-fm9wp]

I just want to say that the girl doing the interviews is amazing. I don't know why but she really makes me want to respect her.

[@raviedavieu]

Samee.

[@chriskelly9476]

she respects the culture, speaks the language and joins in on their customs.

[@faraidoonqaderi7507]

And smokes in front of old ladies who are frail and on the verge, yeah, great lady.

[@chriskelly9476]

@@faraidoonqaderi7507 lol they probably smoke and chew tobacco and all sorts of things themselves.

[@blue1584]

@Paul Smith I’d assume the old ladies were the ones who gave it to her to smoke, in order to dull the pain of the tattooing?

[@Izzymcfafa]

What if the tribe modernized the tattooing process with modern equipment? They can still retain the design and customs. If I recall, New Zealand's Maori people did that and had a resurgence. Maybe the same could be done?

[@yukarin1134]

Izzymcfafa that’s a great idea! They should do that.

[@lyn3325]

That's a good idea because now that there is this video showing how to do the traditional process, the traditional process can be revived later after it has a resurgence. I think the main issue though is whether the younger women want to be tattooed. I get the feeling more women would want to be tattooed if the husband was also tattooed but it seems like the young women don't want to be 'claimed.' Who knows? That's just what it seemed like to me.

[@Soulglo67]

No one wants to carry on the tradition...as you saw the young girl why would we tatt our bodys when we can get married.. Sad in a way...how it will die with these ladys.. Im in awe of them..reminds me of our Samoan Woman and there right of passage in getting a Malu done...Traditional Tatt on the legs...

[@smallbeginning2]

If I was from that tribe I'd love the little one same as she has

[@kiakaha110]

That’s true, Maori designed tattoos are very common. However New Zealand in general is very modernised and more advanced in comparison to islands like these. It comes down to a lot of things making it work, not just having the right equipment.

[@loviemonroe21]

Omg these women in their prime?! 😂😂 can you imagine going to the bar with them??

[@noya1660]

Ikr fucking badasses

[@l--lllllll-POISON-lllllll--l]

Yeeeehawaw

[@scarletthecat632]

Going to bars isn't cool

[@scarletthecat632]

Basically getting drunk and feeling the worst when you wake up the next day

[@scarletthecat632]

Unless you're drinking nonalcoholic-beverages

[@YokoshimaOfficial]

Old tattooed woman: 'You're a bad girl like me' So far this is awesome.

[@NiKKey411]

MAARIANA: "Imagine how much blood dripped off these women back then, but the bore the pain because they had to survive" INTERVIEWER: Holds her faded inked hand squeezes it and says "you are a strong woman'' 7:38 WHAT A POWERFUL MOMENT

[@devine__words]

Nappypuff I loved that moment ! It was so pure 💜

[@annemcmustard4024]

Not gonna lie, may have cried a little

[@squishynoot]

RIGHT SIS I LOVED IT

[@mariupezap4253]

And I´m sure they were not allowed to rest in the process because of the short time they had

[@O_Ciel_Phant0mhive]

aw that's true

[@sagarinosergiamaeg.5840]

Mariana Hoar reminds me a lot of my grandmother that passed away recently. She emits this warmth, the same warmth my grandmother had. I cried while watching this video because she reminded me a lot of my lola. She made my day and bless her dear heart.

[@me6372]

I honestly never saw an older women speaking encourdgment and empowerment like that ❤❤ They usually be acting like why arent you married lifes too short bla bla

[@kiki29073]

Because they are matriarchal. The women have the power in their society.

[@PriusRaj]

Notice many of them weren't married nor gave themselves up to others. The women who pressure others to marry tend to be weak women who literally are the living embodiment of the phrase "misery loves company". They gave up themselves, and can't stand the idea that they had another choice. Notice how women in truly happy relationships almost never pressure marriage as if it's something everyone should do.

[@adararelgnel2695]

@@PriusRaj dude, at the beginning it said they had all outlived their husbands, in other words, they had all been married.

[@yosaraholivo8477]

@@adararelgnel2695 yes, but it is clear that they chose to get married solely because they wanted to, not because they thought they had to, and are completely ok with being widowed, unlike most western women.

[@adararelgnel2695]

@@yosaraholivo8477 are you suggesting western women HAVE to get married? Wth? Ofcourse they dont! And let's be honest, western women dont often make it to the status of "widowed" because they get divorced first. ALSO I dont nkw how much time you spend with older people, ladies in the video are around 90, but no one is ever OKAY when their spouse dies, but it's something that eventually was going to happen, and they get over it, like when a parent dies in their old age. Like, what are you trying to say?

[@ceebee3083]

People: "Japan did nothing wrong in its entire existance. Just look at how nice and peaceful they are" I don't dislike Japanese people but it just enrages me, when I hear people say that some country/race/ethnicity is "pure" and "did nothign wrong". Everyone did some fucked up shit.

[@justbeingfia]

me over here thought the same and boi I feel so bad. the shit they did was real fucked up and I thought you were supposed to have respect for soldiers but thanks to this I have lost that respect. I dont mean I dont respect soldiers but I lost the respect for the soldiers who did this not all soldiers.

[@rinnieunchanged]

True

[@johnnywalker3862]

there is no pure country

[@saulbadman5164]

Say that to the weebs pls

[@Kid-ow2tc]

Mostly Germany/Usa

[@doesjuminhanisgay2031]

It saddens me to know that most Japanese people denied what they did in ww2

[@RiskyRantung]

They already apologize for my country Indonesia, they also give Indonesian a special free visa for 3 years to enter Japan now, and they have our General of the Army Raden Soedirman statue erected in Tokyo. He was a high-ranking Indonesian military officer during the Indonesian National Revolution against Japanese

[@sherisheepsworth8432]

@@RiskyRantung Weird how I just learned this, how long ago was this again?

[@thetwilightzone2403]

@@RiskyRantung so... how long ago was it? Or just link the source here

[@miriellafoster1551]

The sad thing is that your holding all of Japan responsible of something that happened in ww2 when EVERY country at some point has done something just as bad or even worse at some point in their time

[@2DNoodle1]

miriella f the Japanese government should issue a proper apology to the affected people. Canada’s PM Steven Harper issued an apology to former students of Indian Residential schools in 2008 on behalf of the Canadian government.

[@riddhimayur9594]

All im saying is these are some badass gangster grannies

[@dabneyscholler8495]

I have a Scottish grandmother, she doesn't have any tattoos but she's an 86 year old badass! If I'm half the woman she is, I'll be doing pretty well 😂

[@reaclea7628]

These women are amazing, I have such a respect for them.

[@Sarah.Riedel]

"Do you have a husband?" "I don't." "You don't? That makes two of us. Alas!"

[@artnerd5154]

I really appreciate the reporter speaking Indonesian to them and helping them with tasks, she was very respectful, a reporter can make or break a story, and she made it.

[@crystal_haert088]

I thought they were speaking Malay.. since ya know malaka is located in Malaysia I think. Correct me if I am wrong.

[@kiems840]

@@crystal_haert088 thats a different malaka i think , this malaka is located on east nusa tenggara. nowhere near malaysia😅 its really close to east timor

[@crystal_haert088]

@@kiems840 Oh I didn't know. It tipped me of when I can somewhat understand them without the subtitles.

[@mia-cg3sv]

This was just so wholesome , tragic , heartbraking and sweet atthe same time Whe she got the tattoo, I literally had goosebumps all over....just imagine the pain they had to endure And even after going through so much...they are such jolly happy women..... And the reporter too...she made them so comfortable participated in activities I-I can't-

[@username69x73]

I thought they tattooed themselves so they would look like they were in a gang so no one would mess with them lmao

[@liminal4372]

Nah its cuz tattoos were banned in Japan so peeps from there had a negative response to them

[@rambutketiak]

From what I searched, before japanese came tattoo is considered as beauty standards there. And as a reminder of their family that has passed away.

[@anirbasnoel649]

I thought so too.

[@tibbles1533]

Omg same

[@samakazma2154]

I thought so too but damn this is much deeper

[@theirbrotherhoodandfriends6101]

As a girl, I don't think I'm a woman yet. I salute these grannies for being so strong, for bearing such painful events. May the best things happen in your lives, may you all live happily. May all women and girls live happily❤

[@boredshrimp9425]

❤❤❤ amine! I wish these women and women in general to find peace, security and happiness! We're all connected ❤

[@cebe2624]

Me too, may they live blessed lives.

[@ainz2000]

There’s something so special about the ability a tattoo has that allows the owner to reclaim their body in so many different ways.

[@FallenOne87]

Am I the only one to find it amazing that this reporter being honored with a tribe tattoo, was also helping to educate the younger villagers, because they had never seen this done before? These women and this reporter are treasures.

[@h2t26]

Sadly the reason they haven't seen it before is because it fell out of tradition, hopefully this was a spark to bring it back.

[@yyg4632]

i would as well. its such a meaningful story, and these women are an amazing mark on history. id want to keep their stories with me forever.

[@panchirajput9817]

i’m from india and i have my great grandmother and whenever i have a talk with her that’s the kind of conversations i have with her like the journalist is having with the village head. it’s remarkable how she shares her struggles of being a women in a conservative society and how my great grandmother pushes me to be more assertive and simply a proud woman

[@_strawberryshortcake_8932]

It disgusts me how women get treated like sex objects.I am grossed out that SOME men think women are prettier than others.That we belong in the kitchen.We have it harder.

[@KaRiNa-pj9sb]

We do, when I was young a beautiful, I was so naive inoccent and pure it was a curse for me because everywhere I went I had men trying to have sex with me...I would cry in my car, in the restroom or just wait to get home and cry.....because no one loved me for me they all just wanted to satisfy there selves with me....I had to so many things to repel men from me...so I would discuss them instead of attracting them....as I get older I wish I would of been stronger back then along with being fearless..,so I could of enjoyed my life instead of hiding myself. I'm ok now because I'm older and fat lol

[@_strawberryshortcake_8932]

@@KaRiNa-pj9sb thats is horrible.I always wear a jacket outside when it hot and my friends think zi am overreacting

[@saturniiiidae]

I’m glad you said “SOME” men. There are definitely some bad men but that doesn’t mean all men are bad. It’s sad how many times arguments have been started by saying things like this

[@endmeeeeeeeee1836]

“Us mEn HaVe iT hArDeR bEcAuSE pEopLe eXpeCt mORE frOm Us” they say to the gender that has been seen as “sex objects”, “baby machines” and objects for hundreds of years. Yeah yeah buddy, sure, maybe people expect more from you because you’re male, but will you ever have to carry a crotch demon for 9 months while your partner simply has to have sex for like, I dunno, a few minutes to create it? Have you ever had to literally bleed from your private parts every damn month? Like, even pads are something uncomfortable girls have to live with. Gosh, like, the feeling of having that thing folding in half while you’re outdoors. Like, I get that women have more rights nowadays but saying we have equally difficult lives is a lie. Women generally have it harder, even with our natural bodies.

[@heyo8228]

@@endmeeeeeeeee1836 THANK YOUU

[@yveseok6662]

These are some badass women

[@takineko]

Meets someone for two seconds "You're awesome please invite me to your wedding, omg what a badass" I love this lil old lady she's so cute

[@bella-bond]

Damn and she got a tattoo, too!! That’s dedication.

[@drishti1819]

"these tattoos saved the women of malaka from a life time of sexual slavery. "

[@grimm9719]

Yes.. What about it?

[@unnecessary111]

@@claire-td6qt okay but its basically in the title...

[@cookie2507]

My grandma had tattoo on her entire body , to save themselves from British soldiers when India was under British rule

[@M23786]

@fedup wannaquit Dude how utterly rubbish you can be? 🙄🙄 Are you an Indian ? If not then stfu and if yes then shame on you for not knowing that this actually happened. Now go back in your sparkly pink little bubble.

[@starsparklemonkey3390]

Same bullshit as Sharon. Your two comments are EXACTLY the same. Is IT Cell paying you well in these times of inflation 😂

[@starsparklemonkey3390]

@@M23786 Are you an Indian? Shame on you for showing off your pathetic victim complex. Facts over feelings.

[@t.r.luxx1311]

That would be one of the greatest honors to be called a "bad girl" by such an amazing group of women.

[@ankitasingh1492]

It breaks my heart to see women go through so much and Men only respect other Men's claim and not a women's right on her own body

[@viesan7816]

@Paul Smith the whole world is a patriarchy but a single tribe is the problem? 🙄

[@66hoodwitch]

I was raised by my grandma who was born in 1932, back in Soviet union, and has lived through too much not to tell her story ... I feel like I was 1 of the luckiest ones ,hearing her stories first hand.. I'm so grateful for that, because now I tell her stories to my daughter who, I'm sure, will be telling these stories to her kids... and that's how you keep these memories alive.. it's a beautiful thing!

[@aliapereira2837]

I'm from East Timor (a.k.a. Timor Leste). My grandma also has few tattoos on her hands, I ask how she got her tattoos and she didn't answer it. Maybe because of this reason. Idk. Also these grandmas speak Tetun mixed with Bahasa indonesia.

[@naseh446]

wiih berapa thn umur neneknya?

[@LadySpeaks]

I'm surprised interviewer could communicate with them fluently.

[@smoshbooz]

@@LadySpeaks its not hard to understand at all if you even speak basic Indonesian. I could understand and I'm a bule

[@LadySpeaks]

@@smoshbooz oh ok. I had no idea. I thought it was a language that was really rare and would be difficult for an outsider to understand. Thanks for the information.

[@smoshbooz]

@@LadySpeaks yeah I get where youre coming from, but bahasa is a super simple language, especially since I already speak Dutch as my native language as they share some words. Also its probably her native language since her last name is 'Malay'

[@alexandria8743]

i love how cute these women were

[@TheMormonSorceress]

Wow, that was a clever strategy. maybe there's a way to preserve the pattern design of the tattoos Like maybe incorporate them into wedding dresses.

[@Decafcoffeepls]

Thats a lovely idea!

[@luisabuitrago4670]

Why would we hurt ourselves just to show we're taken? Amazing that we can see both opinions... And actually the younger women there are also independent and brave..."why would we need to show that we have a man?" 😁 Respectful and powerful decision too

[@ceebee3083]

I think the younger generation is in the right here. Tattoing yourself is a beautiful tradition but it may be understood into marking yourself like somebody's cow or sheep. Are married men also tattoed?

[@annmariebusu9924]

Cee Bee I would have loved to get one tattoo a small one in honour of the tradition and what happened.

[@j.kaimori3848]

It's possible it was a mark of honour or carried the society's stories and was part of the power the matriarchs had. But since it was used to show they were taken to protect them during war, and since they probably now have books or computers the original purpose might be lost as well as the war purpose. Whatever the reason the tribe clearly has a strong culture and I hope whatever the tattoos purpose was before isn't lost but maybe kept another way.

[@letssmile3564]

@@ceebee3083 This tribe is a matriarchal tribe which means woman have a strong influence in anything, above men, even in family. So I think it won't make that tradition be derogatory for the woman. A brief about matriarchy: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matriarchy

[@jiminplsletmehit7620]

Married people get tattoos today. Even unmarried people get the mark of their partner.