SARAWAK’s tattoo traditions are usually conversations between those who wear or ink them, but some of the deepest admiration comes from further afield.
For Swami, a traveller from Bologna, Italy, being in Kuching for her first tattoo convention was not about holding the needle, but about understanding the stories etched into skin.
“I’m completely in love. The place, the people, everything feels amazing. Without the help of tattooist Boi Skrang, we couldn’t have even attended this tattoo expo. We’re so grateful,” she told Sarawak Tribune at the Kuching International Tattoo Expo 2025 held at the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) headquarters recently.
Swami’s journey to Kuching was not accidental. Her partner, Martino, is a tattoo artist and owner of Black Panda, a studio in Bologna.
For her, stepping into the expo wasn’t just about supporting Martino but about immersing herself in a culture she had admired from afar.
“It’s our first time in Borneo, our first time in Asia. So it’s an honour to be here,” she said.
What struck Swami most was the living continuity of Borneo’s tattoo culture. Unlike in many parts of Europe, here in Sarawak, she found traditions that have endured for centuries.
“Borneo is one of the main cultural traditions in tattooing. It’s a staple in tattoo culture and we really wanted to delve into the culture in Sarawak.
“Being here, meeting artists who still carry on the tradition of hand-tapping and traditional designs, is so important. Both artistically and culturally, it’s inspiring,” she said.
For her, Borneo tattoos stand out because of their identity.
“You can spot a Borneo tattoo from miles away, and you’ll know exactly what it represents. They’re deeply tied to tradition, to culture, to where people come from,” she said.
While she spoke with admiration of Borneo’s living heritage, Swami also reflected on her own country’s forgotten tattoo traditions.
In Italy, she explained, tattooing once flourished during the Middle Ages, when Christian pilgrims travelled from Northern Europe through Italy to go to Jerusalem.
“There was a particular place in Italy, where the pilgrims took the ship to go to Jerusalem and cross the Mediterranean. And there was a huge tradition of a small hand poked tattoo.
“But it somehow got lost through the centuries. Because it’s not part of history books. It’s not registered. It only survives with people,” she said.
She added that only from the 19th century to the 20th, there was a revival.
“Today, some still recreate pilgrimage tattoos, not just related to religion, but would blend them with folklore symbols as charms of good luck,” she said.
One of her own tattoos is a ‘memento mori’ tattoo, which in Latin means “remember you will die.”
To her, it’s a daily reminder to live fully and embrace the moment.
Although she is not a tattoo artist herself, Swami feels deeply connected to the tattoo community.
For her, tattoos are about people — the stories behind them, and the conversations they spark.
“If you carry tattoos, it means you’ve made choices, and each design has a meaning. That makes it easy to connect with others. You ask, ‘Who was the artist? What does it mean?’ And suddenly you’re building a relationship,” she said.
The three-day Kuching International Tattoo Expo concluded yesterday (Sept 7).
Also present were Kuching Tattoo Art Association president Nicholas Jenta, vice-president Boi Skrang, and secretary Maximillian Ajie.
Earlier in his speech, Maximillian said tattooing is one of humanity’s oldest and most profound forms of self-expression.
“From the ancient tribes of Borneo and Polynesia to the bustling studios of modern cities, tattoos have carried stories of heritage, spirituality, strength, and individuality.
“Thus, the expo was a bridge between the past and the present, between tradition and innovation,” he said.
He added that beyond the ink and the artistry, the expo is about building connections and a global community where cultures are shared, respect is cultivated and inspiration is endless.
“Let us also remember that tattooing is more than beauty, it is resilience, it is history, and it is freedom.
“Every tattoo has a story, and every story deserves to be told.”
