New stamp on Facial Tattoo from Taiwan…

Date of Issue : 1 August 2011

Few days back I wrote about Body Tattoo stamp from Papua New Guinea. Here is another new stamp on facial tattoos issued by  Taiwan Post. Though this theme is not very common on stamps, issued by other countries but it seems that other nations will also issue stamps on this new theme which has become a part of fashion  today all over  the world.

To increase understanding of the culture of facial tattoo, which is gradually disappearing, Chunghwa (Taiwan) Post  issued a stamp with a denomination of NT$25 on facial tattoos on August 1, 2011.  The stamp features a tattooed Atayal woman weaving against the background of Mt. Dabajian. The Atayals produce excellent woven goods, and only women who are skilled weavers are entitled to wear facial tattoos.

In the early days of the tribal society of the Atayal, an aboriginal people of Taiwan, decorative facial tattoos were customarily stained on tribal members’ faces during solemn rituals. Men tattooed one or more vertical lines on their forehead and chins, whereas women tattooed one or more vertical lines on their foreheads as well as V shapes on their cheeks, extending from their ears to their lips. The traditional Atayal facial tattoo is fraught with social meaning. Apart from being symbols of glory, these tattoos demonstrate tribal identity, convey that their bearers have reached adulthood, and serve as badges of bravery and talent.

Tattoo….centuries old art

A tattoo is body art made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. Tattoos on humans are a type of decorative body modification, while tattoos on animals are most commonly used for identification purposes. The first written reference to the word, "tattoo" (or Samoan "Tatau") appears in the journal of Joseph Banks, the naturalist aboard Captain Cook's ship the HMS Endeavour in 1769: "I shall now mention the way they mark themselves indelibly, each of them is so marked by their humor or disposition".

Tattooing has been practiced for centuries worldwide. The Ainu, the indigenous people of Japan, traditionally had facial tattoos. Today one can find Berbers of Tamazgha (North Africa), Māori of New Zealand, Hausa people of Northern Nigeria, Arabic people in East-Turkey and Atayal of Taiwan with facial tattoos. Tattooing was widespread among Polynesian peoples and among certain tribal groups in the Taiwan, Philippines, Borneo, Mentawai Islands, Africa, North America, South America, Mesoamerica, Europe, Japan, Cambodia, New Zealand and Micronesia. Despite some taboos surrounding tattooing, the art continues to be popular in many parts of the world.

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Club News

From J & K Postal Circle

Stamp exhibition in Leh starts today…

Philately Exhibition, Leh : 2 to 5 Sep 2011

J & K Postal Circle is organising Philately Exhibition at Leh from 2 to 5 Sep 2011 at Polo Grounds Leh.  80 frames of philately materials will be on display with special focus on 'stamps of Buddha' . Five special covers will be released during this exhibition.  Dealers and philatelists may get in touch with Supdt of Post offices Leh( 09419286636)  or with Chief PMG’s office, J & K, Srinagar  for their participation in the exhibition or for getting the special covers

Release of Special covers on 'Launch of Floating Post office cum Museum'

To mark 'Launch of Floating Post office cum Museum' , Department of Posts has brought out two Special Covers on Dal Lake  .  The special covers portray the amazing splendor and magnificence of Dal Lake along with pictorial cancellation on launch of Floating post office cum Museum .  The special covers were released by Dr Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister J&K and Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy. With this, the tourists visiting the Floating Post office  will get the unique ‘pictorial cancellation’ with Dal Lake backdrop on their  letters. No doubt, this will be a memorable souvenir  in memory of their  visit to Kashmir.

Floating Post Office, Srinagar sells the special covers issued in this regard. Orders can be placed with Sr.Post Master Srinagar GPO or with Philately division, Chief PMG Office, Srinagar, J & K

State level Philately exhibition at Srinagar, J&K : 26 to 28 Sep 2011

Jammu & Kashmir circle is organising 250 frame Philately exhibition at SKICC Auditorium in Srinagar from 26 to 28 Sep 2011. A large number of philatelists across India are likely to participate in this important event. Apart from the stamp exhibits, the Department is organising Stamp design contest, Letter writing contest and quiz program for the school students and college students. Dealers and philatelists may get in touch with Sr Post Master Srinagar GPO ( 09419736634)  or with Chief PMG’s office, J &K, Srinagar for their participation in the exhibition or for getting the special covers