SEAToday.com, Mentawai Islands - Tradition, art and culture blend harmoniously in the hands of the Mentawai Tribe. They are one of Indonesia's indigenous tribes who have inhabited the Mentawai Islands in West Sumatra for thousands of years. Known for its rich culture and unique traditions, one of the most interesting things about the Mentawai tribe is their traditional tattoo art, called TikTik.

TikTik, a Mentawai tattoo, is not just a body decoration, but a deep cultural identity. This body art is recognized as one of the oldest tattoo traditions in the world that continues to be preserved today. Despite the changing times, the process of making Mentawai tattoos still maintains traditional methods.

The process begins with drawing a rough pattern on the part of the body to be tattooed. Then, a traditional needle is used and gently tapped with a wooden stick, producing a distinctive “Tik Tik” sound. Each tattoo carved has a deep meaning, symbolizing life's prosperity, spiritual beliefs, as well as a close connection to the ancestors.

Besides TikTik, the Mentawai tribe also has another unique and challenging tradition, which is hunting Tamra or sago worm. This is one of Mentawai's culinary specialties that is usually processed into additional menus.

The Mentawai tribe usually harvests sago worms from rotten sago tree trunks. The content of nutrients such as fat and protein in sago worms is quite high, SEATizens. Sago worms can be consumed raw or boiled and grilled.

Art and traditions that are in harmony with nature, characterize the Mentawai Tribe. The existence of natural resources is maintained to be sustainable and one of their inseparable sources of life is the sago tree. Sago trees provide basic needs, from sago flour as the main food to protein-rich sago worms.

Writer: Puji Tri Lestari