MAZAR-E-SHARIF (SW) – Although, traditionally tattooing has been practiced in the Afghan society for a while now, especially among prisoners and villagers, but now the modern forms of this body art are gaining popularity among the youth.
Najma, a resident of Mazar-e-Sharif city, has imitated her favorite stars of cinema and sports world to have tattoos for herself. She said it gives her a sense of freedom. She wants to make a point with it that women are also free and can work just like men.
However, another young man, Sayed Mehdi has tattoos for another reason. He tattooed a heart-pulse on his arm as a sign of love and loyalty.
In a traditional societies like Afghanistan, with many opponents of tattooing, there are some boys and girls who are challenging the traditional mindset.
I went to an area in downtown Mazar-e-Sharif to check the interest of the youth in tattooing. I found here one hairdressing salon that also offered tattoo services for boys and girls. The hairdresser said he has tattooed hundreds of young people.
Morteza Mohammadi, the hair salon manager, said initially there was not much interest towards this art, but now he is overwhelmed with clients. According to Mohammadi, the growing number of customers compelled him to invest more in the business by importing latest machines and material for tattooing.
Mohammad learned this art in Iran.
According to him, so far the government or people have not objected to his work.
However, one of the physicians in the city, Saifuddin, considers tattoos contrary to the values of the community and hazardous for health. He said that it can cause various diseases.
ENDS