Mahlet Alemayehu Reba

Female Tattooing Practice in Amhara Region:: the Case of Ankober Town Mahlet Alemayehu Reba

Ankober, (also called Gorobela), was a capital of Ethiopia during the former Kingdom of Shoa. It mis located at the eastern edge of the Ethiopian highlands in the North Shoa, and is a historical centre. The Ankober communities, residing in the Northern Shoa, are known for their habit of wearing of a tattoo "nek'sat" in Amharic. The reasons so far in support of tattooing in the Ankober are decorative, religious and healing. These tattoo designs named as Burrie, Yebere shint or Weta wered, Meskellegna or Meskel, Keb, Guramaylle, Yewof eger, netebta/, Senselet, Finger tattoos, Writings on the body, and Others.