The first piercing was discovered in Egypt, reflecting status and love of beauty. It was found on a body of a mummy whose age was over 5,000 years old. The mummy was pierced with a large hole on his ears, just like what Vicky Nitinegoro has. I call it “we can see the world behind through the ear”. At that time, everyone wore earrings to show their beauty and wealth. Even sphinx has earrings. But pharaoh was the only one who could have his navel pierced. If there was anybody who wanted to have piercing on their belly button, they would be executed. Now we know that Egyptians loved to explore themselves for the sake of beauty and prestige.
In other part of Africa, many primitive tribes had different kinds of piercing. Some of them wore earrings to prevent demon to get into them. They believed that demons could enter humans’ body through the ear and only metal could repel them away. The lip piercings existed among Africans expressed spiritual meaning, when other people sensed labrets as aesthetical face decoration, and since all of the people wore them, labrets became the component of religious right of engagement in the rituals. Another aim of lip piercing is for beauty. When an explorer came to Malawi tribe to ask the reason of wearing lip piercing, the chief answered, “For beauty! They are the only beautiful things women have. Men have beards, women have none. What kind of person would she be without Pelele? She would not be a woman at all.” That will not be in modern community down here.
Body piercing is also mentioned in the Bible. In the Old Testament, it is stated that piercing is a mark of beauty and wealth. In the Middle East, approximately 4,000 years ago, as it is stated in the Bible, exactly in Genesis 24:22 where the nose-ring was given as a part of dowry and bridal gift and the size of the ringing referred to a household wealth. It is obvious that body piercing was a symbol of status and attractiveness in the Biblical time.
In Rome, piercing was worn by Roman centurions to signify their strength and virility. As a symbol, it was important and served a specific function, unifying and bonding the army. Even Julius Caesar pierced his nipples to show his strength and identity as a man. Genital piercing through the head of the penis was performed on gladiators, who were almost always slaves, for two reasons. First, a ring through the head of the penis which was tied the organ back to the testicles with a length of leather could prevent serious injury during the fight. With a large enough ring or bar, it also prevented the slave from having sex without the owner's permission. In this case, the other purpose of piercing has been revealed.
In America around the same time, Aztec, Maya, and Indian tribes wore tongue piercing as a part of their religious rituals. They believed that they could get closer to the Gods if they wore it. As warrior tribes, Aztec and Maya also use septum piercing to frighten their enemies. This kind of piercing was also common in New Guinea and the Solomon Island. They used bone, tusks, and feathers to stab their nose. Now, if you wear it in Indonesia, you will look like a buffalo. There were also lip labrets, just like in Africa, which were worn for aesthetic and sexuality purpose. Women who wore these were thought to be attractive, having high sex appeal. These variations may be uncommon for modern society. But it appears again as extreme body piercings done by people today.
For some hundred years, piercing was forbidden. The medieval church considered it as a sin. Western civilization abandoned the practice of piercing. Nobody did it for a period of time.
After the Renaissance, the interest of piercing came up to the surface. Men became aware of fashion. They had at least one ring on their ear. The more precious their earring cost, the better they could advertise their wealth and prosperity. Women did not want to be left behind. They started to wear nipples piercing to show their jewelry. They put chains and even strands of pearls draped between the two. Finally it was found bringing more pleasure on bed so men also did it. This kind of discovery led to the use of piercings on genital on both sexes. That sounds terrible for me but perhaps it was just about the way of thinking.
During 1960’s, American adapted the nostril piercing from Indian females. In India, the ring which is commonly on the left side of the nose was linked to the left ear. It aimed to make childbirth easier and lessen period pain because the spot was associated in Ayuvedra (Indian medicine) with the female reproductive organs. In this case, we can see the use of piercing for medical purpose.
After this, the interest in body piercings of all kinds quickly caught on in USA during the 1980's and 1990's and spreads all over the world until today though not all people have piercings on their body. Almost all girls in Indonesia are pierced since they are infants. When they grow up, they may add up their earrings, nose rings, and navel rings. While some boys decide to pierce their ears and do further body modification on their lips, tongue, and so on. And the others stay “clean” and neat with no piercing at all on their body.
In short, what we have today is not something new. Piercing is only a kind of “tradition” that is continued by many people. Some of them may try the common piercings on ears, and nose and the rest begin to put upside down nails on their heads. It is only the matter of choice. What I wonder is only the face of the family when they see the “strange” holes on the “pierced-man” on his or her funeral.
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