Narasi Perempuan melalui Tato

Authors

Nikita Devi Purnama, Fakultas Ilmu Pengetahuan Budaya Universitas IndonesiaFollow
LG Saraswati Putri, Fakultas Ilmu Pengetahuan Budaya Universitas IndonesiaFollow

Abstract

This research examines how women voice their narratives through tattoos by studying the experiences of seven tattooed women. Using the in-depth interview method, this research presents the narratives of these tattooed women in relation to their tattoos. Such narratives seem to be strongly intertwined with their life stories. The body is a medium in which a person can place certain markers to achieve certain purposes. As Butler theorizes, what the body displays is not the real self, but only an appearance according to the assumed or chosen role. In addition, according to Cixous, tattooing can be considered as a form of writing and appropriation of expression for women who are far removed from traditional forms of language as a medium of communication which often serves patriarchic interests. As such, tattoos differ from symbols that outsiders can simply read. Women have their own process of choosing the permanent mode of writing on their bodies, and to understand that, we need to listen to the their narratives. When referring to the process and life story of women, tattoos also contain a narrative that is full of women's specific life experiences.

Bahasa Abstract

Sejak lama, banyak perempuan menghiasi tubuhnya dengan tato. Penelitian ini menilik cara perempuan menyampaikan narasinya melalui tato dengan mempelajari pengalaman dari tujuh perempuan bertato. Saya menelusuri narasi hidup terkait dengan tatonya dari setiap perempuan bertato menggunakan metode wawancara mendalam. Narasi yang saya temukan erat berkelindan dengan kesejarahan hidup setiap perempuan. Tubuh merupakan medium yang dapat digunakan untuk memunculkan penanda sesuai dengan tujuan tertentu. Butler berteori bahwa tubuh tidak menampilkan keaslian diri, melainkan penampilan dari peran yang dilakoni oleh seseorang. Merujuk pada Cixous, tato merupakan salah satu wujud apropriasi ekspresi bagi perempuan yang mengalami keberjarakan dengan bahasa sebagai alat komunikasi yang lekat dengan kepentingan patriarkal. Berbeda dengan bahasa, tato merupakan simbol yang tidak dapat sembarangan dibaca oleh siapa saja. Untuk memahami tato pada tubuh perempuan, penting pula memahami proses tersendiri yang mereka alami ketika memutuskan untuk menulis di atas tubuhnya dan mendengarkan narasi mereka. Dalam setiap guratan tato di tubuh perempuan, terkandung pula narasi hidupnya yang sangat khas sebagai perempuan.

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Recommended Citation

Purnama, Nikita D, and LG S. Putri. 2021. Narasi Perempuan melalui Tato. Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya 11, no. 3 (December). 10.17510/paradigma.v11i3.504.