Native American women reclaim tradition of facial tattoos

Native American women from southeastern tribes are reviving the tradition of facial tattoos, known as inchunwa, as a form of cultural expression and identity, according to reporting by The Guardian. The Inchunwa Project, established in 2017 by a group of Choctaw women and two spirit people, is central to this resurgence, offering educational resources, retreats and a podcast to support the revitalization efforts. This project emphasizes the spiritual and communal significance of these tattoos, which are often applied during rites of passage and evolve with life milestones. While traditional hand-poke techniques are favored, modern methods are also utilized.