Language and the Practice of Tattooing
Languages plays an important part of the revival of this indelible cultural art. In many of the tribal group the mere status of having a work for “tattoo or tattooing” and no other definitive documentation is enough to begin the revitalization process. In some communities there was a work for “paint” but no distinction of it being permanent or temporary.
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“Tattoo” in California Indian Languages
Mountain Cahuilla- chíshxinill - tattoo marks
Šmuwič Chumash- sumoč-for tattooing
Samala Chumash- močič- to be painted
Mutsun Ohlone- hica- tattoo
Luiseño/Payomkawichum- túuhulu-tattoo
Acjachemen/Juaneño - túuhulu-tattoo
Chukchansi- shepwash- tattoo or basket pattern
Wukchumni- wapaasi ochoi'I- chin tattoo/paint
Yowlumne- awash sep
Western Mono- nawoowin
Maidu- c̓awám báltibom- chin tattoo
Tongva- tovuushey - type of tattoo
Northern Wintu- yilta- chin tattoo
Hupa- wiltuch’- tattooed
Tolowa- yii-ghee-le' ghvtlh-t'e'sr- chin tattoo
Kumeyaay- uukwiich- tattoo
Hupa- wiltuch’- tattooed
Pit River (Ajumawi)- cʰíp- tattoo
Karuk- thúkinha- tattoo
Mountain Cahuilla- chíshxinill - tattoo marks
Šmuwič Chumash- sumoč-for tattooing
Samala Chumash- močič- to be painted
Mutsun Ohlone- hica- tattoo
Luiseño/Payomkawichum- túuhulu-tattoo
Acjachemen/Juaneño - túuhulu-tattoo
Chukchansi- shepwash- tattoo or basket pattern
Wukchumni- wapaasi ochoi'I- chin tattoo/paint
Yowlumne- awash sep
Western Mono- nawoowin
Maidu- c̓awám báltibom- chin tattoo
Tongva- tovuushey - type of tattoo
Northern Wintu- yilta- chin tattoo
Hupa- wiltuch’- tattooed
Tolowa- yii-ghee-le' ghvtlh-t'e'sr- chin tattoo
Kumeyaay- uukwiich- tattoo
Hupa- wiltuch’- tattooed
Pit River (Ajumawi)- cʰíp- tattoo
Karuk- thúkinha- tattoo