RETRO FIND: Filipinos preserved dying language through tattoos in 1999
The preservation of culture exists in many ways.
The preservation of culture exists in many ways.
The preservation of culture exists in many ways.
Baybayin is the written language of the Philippines. Originally called Alibata by historians, the language decreased in use after the introduction of the Latin alphabet by the Spanish in the 1600s.
The ancient language has seen a resurgence in recent years as more Filipinos connect to their roots.
In 1999, Filipinos in San Francisco found a more permanent way to keep the Baybayin language around. Many went under the needle and received meaningful tattoos in the written language.
One viewed the tattoo as a sign of pride, while another viewed it as a rite of passage.
WATCH the video above to see how some Filipinos preserved an ancient language in 1999.
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