Not long ago, most Iban people in Borneo were elaborately decorated with boldly designed tattoos depicting the story of their life experiences. Today, little evidence of the traditional art remains among younger Iban.

The ancient tattooing method of hand-tapping has been replaced with electric machines and the spiritual and personal images have been replaced by western designs.

The tattoos were once carried out to depict life stories and to represent spiritual beliefs. The images were thought to protect the tribe against intruding evil spirits and unwanted predators, and made the Iban visible to their Gods.

Renowned Canadian tattoo artist, Tom Lockhart, and writer and historian of tattoo lore, Vince Hemingson, are on a mission to meet the last remaining Iban tattoo artists living in remote parts of Borneo. They hope to document the ancient practises so that the tradition may be continued by future generations, before it vanishes forever.

But to find the tattooed tribesmen, they must spend 16 days travelling up the fearsome Skrang River deep into the heart of Borneo’s jungle.

Guided by Simon and Eddie David, two Iban city-dwelling tattoo artists who have adopted the western methods, Tom and Vince set off on an adventurous cultural journey along the treacherous Skrang River, once known as the River of Death and home to Borneo’s fiercest headhunters. There, in the small settlements of tribespeople along the river, our tattoo hunters hope to find the last of the of the elderly tattoo artists believed to hold the secrets of Iban tattooing.

Along the way Tom and Vince experience what it’s like to sleep in Iban longhouses, with up to 120 other people in hot and humid conditions, and with bundles of human skulls staring down from the rafters.

At their furthest point up the river, Vince and Tom meet the legendary Iban leader Aki Basai. Eighty-six-year-old Aki is one of the last Iban to sport the elaborate tattoo ‘bodysuit’ and is one of only a handful remaining who know the art of Iban tattooing.

To pass on the secrets of this ancient art, the tribesmen invite Vince to have two traditional tattoos on his upper body. Unlike the western methods Vince is accustomed to, they use ancient dye-recipes and a “pricker” ? a wooden rod with up to fourteen needles protruding at right angles. Using a wooden striker to hammer against the end of the pricker, the men begin to make their mark.

After enduring more than six hours of excruciating pain, Vince is welcomed into the Iban tribe with ceremonial dances and rituals, and becomes Aki’s adopted son.

The Vanishing Tattoo is a compelling journey into the world of traditional Iban tattoo artists to investigate the critical importance of tattooing in Iban culture and to discover why the art is rapidly disappearing.