10 Best Nigerian Tribal Tattoo Ideas That Will Blow Your Mind!

If you are a tattoo enthusiast, you must have come across some nigerian tribal tattoo designs. Here are top ten amazing tribal tattoos for women and men.

Generally, people get a tattoo done to express his inner feelings.

The main motive behind getting inked is to showcase to the world the thoughts or feelings that one believes in. Of all tattoo designs, one of the most predominant one is the african tribal tattoos.

The African continent, known as the ‘cradle of humankind,’ is a hub of fascinating culture and tradition. The unique way of living life of the Africans and their unending bond with nature and the animal world has given birth a lot of amazing things all around the world. One significant aspect that issued from the African culture is the African tribal tattoos. The people of Africa contributed to the tattooing art form by presenting the designs of ancient Egypt in the form of tattoos. To celebrate Africa’s rich history, we have covered a few African tribal tattoos.

Before we get into the series of African tribal tattoo designs, it is important to know a brief history about these African tribal tattoos and understand the African heritage. The origin of the African tribal tattoos can be credited to Ancient Egypt. When the tattooed mummies were discovered, almost 5000 years ago by the scientists, the African people captured the designs of the mummies and tattooed them on their bodies. This was done to show respect and adornment to the mummies. Back then, it was more of a sign of social status, rather than a style statement.

There is another belief associated with these African tribal tattoos. People in Africa believed that these tattoos when done on the body, would help the sick and the unhealthy get cured soon from their illnesses. Besides, the African tribal tattoos designs were a mark to show one’s belonging to a particular community or tribe to show one’s loyalty to the tribe. In the past, the tribal tattoos and related other amazing designs were symbols of getting a protection against evil spirits.

After the discovery of the mummies of the Deir el-Medina, it was noticed that most of the mummies were mostly female or feminine spirits. Therefore, it was believed that African women were the practitioners of tattooing in their community. Besides, tattooing in the African culture and in African tribes was also a mark of protection and healing.

In the entire part of Africa, the tribal Nigerian tattoo designs emerged from the Northern part of Africa. Again, in the Southern part of Africa, the tattooing body art was practiced as a religious practice or ritual. Th purpose of North African tribal tattoos was to portray their identity. To the North African people, tattooing was like a slef-expression to assure people belonging to a particular tribe. However, the people of Africa belonging to the upper class were the propagators of these tribal tattoos. Infact, the elite people and families of Africa had spread different tattoo ideas amongst the Egypt and few parts of North Africa. The upper class raised one reason for spreading the body art. They said that having these tribal tattoos on the body would symbolise the fertility of the women, along with worship and status.

Today, people around the world are inspired by these designs of the African continent. What began from the Africa’s vast mythology, is now a style statement. Some of the popular Africa tribal tattoos include African warrior tattoo, African Goddess tattoo, the fierce zulu warrior tattoo, African lioness tattoo, African celtic tattoos, Aztec tribal tattoo of Africa etc. Now that you are armed with the background of the tribal tattoos of Africa, it is time to focus on the list of African symbol tattoos and tribal designs.

Fairy Nigerian Tattoo in Black Ink

Of all tribal tattoo arts, the fairy tattoo is a popular design that was promoted by the African woman. This tribal tattoo features a child-like fairy with wings flying on clouds with a bag of money in his hand.

Generally, fairy tattoos represent a beauty and child-like innocence. It portrays a mystical power and gives a feeling of otherness in this humane world. Again, the image of money denotes control, power and a sense of stature. When the image of the child fairy and the money symbol is put together, it symbolises a powerful child fairy in a prestigious and peaceful position.

Nigerian Mask Tattoo

If you are looking for a Nigerian tattoo design or some creative and proud pieces from Nigeria, this face of an African man can be a significant one. Through this tattoo, one can show one’s loyalty and favouritism towards the African roots. This is an innovative and unique African mask tattoo that is inked in black ink. This proud pieces denoting loyalty to the African rich culture and heritage is one of the perfect tribal forearm tattoos both for men and women. However, one can get this native tattoo done in a colourful manner as well.

African Ornamental Tribal Tattoo

Besides the native American tattoo ideas, another tribal tattoo art is this black ink ornamental tattoo design that is a clear replica of the African tribal culture. This is one of those African tribal tattoos that clearly depicts the love for the African culture and heritage. Having the African woman tattoo inked on any part of the body makes one appear courageous. To add the effect of strength and valor to the tattoo, choose the mask of African warrior tattoos. The masks have African symbol representing courage.

Tribal Elephant Tattoo With Tribal Boy Face

Of all tribal tattoos, the elephant tribal tattoo is on of the most common African tattoos. Being an African continent tattoo, it has a underlying meaning to it. The elephant tattoo is a universal symbol that represents divinity, loyalty, strength and good luck. However, to ensure that the elephant tribal tattoo looks great on the body and adds to the beauty, one should get it done at the temple of the body.

Also, this tribal elephant tattoo has the face of tribal African body inked along with it. This image of boy is to pay homage to the deep love that the tribals have towards their tribal culture. It can be said to be a realism style of denoting the loyalty toward the African culture in simple black outline. Further, the combination of the African boy and the elephant is a clear indication of the close association of the Africans with their African wildlife.

Coloured African Tribal Woman Tattoo Style

For those who want to get a tattoo done to add to their beauty, here is a stunning way of owning tribal designs in the body. The colourful tattoo of a tribal woman is sure to grab the attention of many. Just like the tribal band tattoo, vibrant colours have been added to this tribal woman tattoo to make it look attractive. Also, the addition of the colours denote the act of giving emphasis to the tribals of Africa.

Warrior Tattoo In Black Shading

Another tribal tattoo of the West Africa is the warrior tattoos that has grabbed the eyes of many. Not only do these tattoos look chivalrous, but also have an underlying meaning to them. Since the sign of warriors is a very common design, most may claim them to be warrior Mexican tattoos.

However, a warrior tattoo can have multiple meanings attached to it. Generally, having a warrior design on the body stand for inner strength and dignity. It can also mean encountering the different phases of life without any fear.

Tribal Maori Tattoo

Of all the other forms of tribal tattoos, the one form that makes people more noticeable in a crowd is the Maori tattoo. The Maori tattoo emerged because the Maori cult had no alphabet or words to express themselves. Therefore, they chose tattooing as their way of communicating.

Pyramid Tattoo With Dot Work

The pyramid tattoo is another fascinating design that symbolize wisdom. In this tattoo, the artist has emphasized the pyramids with the blue ink. A sepulchre is shown to stand tall in the middle of the design. In the tattooing industry, pyramid is a symbol of determination, unity and wisdom. However, variations can be brought while inking the great pyramids.

All Seeing Eye Tattoo

Another tattoo belonging to the tribes is the All Seeing Eye tattoo that can be inked in almost any part of the body. Although this design can be put under the category of the native American tattoos, yet the way the tattoo is inked can give it a tribal appeal.

The All Seeing Eye tattoo design is associated with the popular Christian organization, the Illuminati. To some, this All Seeing Eye may mean power, while to others it can be a symbol of spiritual protection. The triangle in which the eye is enclosed gives the tattoo a more catchy look.

Bold Black Adinkra Tattoo

If you are a lover of adinkra symbols, you are sure to love this adinkra tattoo. What makes this type of tattoos attractive is their symbols as each one of them is associated with a different meaning. The origin of adinkra symbols can be credited to the African roots as they were first found in what is known today as Ghana. Back then, the adinkra symbol was used to bid adieu.

Indeed, there is no end to tribal designs, especially when it comes to tattooing. Be it Nigerian tattoos or African tattoos or any other form of tribal tattoos, all of them are filled with inner meanings and mysteries. Since tattoos reveal one’s identity or belief towards a popular culture, it is time to showcase to the whole world what your principles are.

To fascinate you a little bit more, here is a brief list of some more African tattoos and tribal designs: