“Keeping the heritage alive”, Meet Eleanor Goroh, a Dusun traditional hand-tap tattoo artist in Malaysia

Malaysia is known for its cultural diversity, with Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous ethnic groups living together harmoniously. With that said the diversity is reflected in our cuisine, festivals, and traditions. Diving into the native culture, we’re honoured to have spoken to Eleanor Goroh, a traditional hand-tap tattoo artist based in Malaysia.

Meet Eleanor Goroh, a Dusun traditional hand-tap tattoo artist in Malaysia

Back in December, a TikTok user named Lobhini shared that she stumbled upon a tattoo artist of Dusun descent named Eleanor Goroh. Immediately captivated by her artistry and personality, it made her want to experience and learn more about her culture and art, especially Borneon Art.

Sitting down with Eleanor, she was introduced to the Murut culture, its motifs, and their symbolic meanings. Drawn to the Binusak motif, Lobhini later learned that in Murut culture, ‘Binusak’ represents a motif symbolizing the blooming of a plant. This motif commonly appears in their traditional art, portraying growth, vitality, and the flourishing of nature.

“I thought to myself, what a coincidence!”, she said, revealing that she is a local brand designer.

Creating art the traditional way, one tap at a time

Speaking to Wau Post, Eleanor shared that traditional hand tap tattooing involves using a handheld tool, typically made of wood, with a needle attached to one end. Usually, the tattoo artist dips the needle into ink and then taps it into the skin by hand, creating the design one dot or line at a time.

“The tools I use are made from the rainforest trees of Borneo. It is from our natural heritage that we are able to continue our cultural practices”, she mentioned, adding that their environment and art are closely linked together.

Based in Kadamaian, Kota Belud, Sabah, Eleanor now travels around Malaysia for work. And thanks to her passion in her work, she is now able to showcase her unique art and talent, while promoting her culture and heritage. When asked what she tattoos she offers, she shared that she mainly offers traditional tattoos.

A tribute to their rich culture and heritage

Sharing the reason why she decided to get a tattoo from Eleanor, Lobhini mentioned that she loves what Eleanor does, perserving heritage and culture.

“Her art isn’t just skin deep—it’s a tribute to our rich heritage. Each hand-tapped tattoo she creates connects deeply to her tradition and history, which aligns perfectly with my commitment to honoring our cultural legacy”, she added. 

Understanding that the tattoo is a permanent commitment on her skin, Lobhini expressed that Eleanor had her upmost trust and faith, especially because of Eleanor’s dedication to her craft and her deep cultural understanding. 

We love seeing how passionate our natives are in preserving their culture and heritage. If you’re interested in learning about Eleanor’s culture, feel free to check her out here. 

Watch the full video below:

@lobhini

Each tap, a note in life’s symphony, an ancient dance of ink and memory. #handtappedtattoo #borneo #traditionaltattoo #motif #binusak #murutsabahan #sabahtattooartist #borneotattoo #bodyart #borneopride #traditionaltattoo #traditionalart #heritage

♬ Taboh Iban Kayau – Avian Johansson

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Also read: “We still exist”, Natives from Sabah & Sarawak paraded the streets of KL in their traditional outfits