Morocco's Fading Indigenous Tattoos

The women of Morocco's Amazigh community - the largest in North Africa - have tattooed their faces for centuries. However, this tradition is slowly fading due to changing religious attitudes in recent decades. Many attribute the fading of facial tattoos to Morocco's changing religious attitudes in recent decades, with interpretations of Islam where inked skin and other body modifications like piercings are seen as against Islamic teachings. Some challenge this perception and argue the claim that it is haram has no basis in the Koran.

The designs of the tattoos vary among the different tribes and were originally used to symbolise the wearer's origins, fertility, and protection.