For an Iban man, the 'Bunga Terung' was the first tattoo he got as it signifies a coming of age. This motif is only for men. After that, it will aid you on your 'berjalai' or walk.
For an Iban to 'berjalai' means to travel and gain new knowledge and experiences. He was expected to venture to new lands, meet new people and gain new knowledge and upon returning to his longhouse. His role would be to encourage the younger ones to 'bejalai' and seek their own stories in the world.
The 'Bunga Terung' identifies the person as an Iban and back in the warring times this was important. Communal identification kept the tribe together and kept it strong. This is akin to the family tattoos of the Maoris.
Iban tattoos were believed to protect their person from harm and evil spirits. It was a way to tell the gods that you exist. In the afterlife, these tattoos allowed the gods to see you. I imagine that they will glow neon much, like fireflies.
Frogs, crabs, the creeper plant and scorpions are all popular motifs in the Iban tattoo lexicon. Though, my late grandfather had a fishing hook on his right calf which I think meant he was a bad-ass fisherman.
If an Iban man had daughters then he may have the 'Bunga Terung' tattooed on his back, a pair for every daughter. He symbolically carried his daughters, I like that picture. My late grandfather had three pairs along his back.
Any design tattooed on the limbs must be a pair. I believe it meant the motif was complete. My tattoo artist refused to add new tattoos on me till I completed the set of tattoos I had on my arms.
During their 'berjalai', Iban men tend to tattoo motifs they see as a remembrance. This can produce some really funny images, like the old uncle who tattooed a white and black lady on his chest. One for the first time he met said white and black ladies. I'll stick to taking photos.
There are motifs that are specific to the ethnic group and even to gender. Skilled women weavers had scorpion or centipede tattoos to protect and ward off evil spirits when weaving, tattooed on their forearms.
Finally, tattoos for Ibans are not merely cultural but denote the identity of the community. That when I go 'bejalai' and if I find a 'Bunga Terung' tattooed on a man in London, I can approach him and speak Iban; for he is now visible to me and not just the gods.
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