In this series of articles, we share your stories. Those of your families, your tattooed grandmothers and great-grandmothers. They sometimes told you about their tattoos, sometimes very little. This is why we want to collect your testimonies here. Transmit so as not to lose their history. Bringing their culture to life to make it timeless.
Sandrina.
Let me introduce myself: my name is Sandrine and I am a Franco-Algerian mestizo. My father is Algerian, born in Oran.
I have been living in the Hautes-Alpes mountains for 4 years but I grew up in Picardy.
I've always been interested in tattoos, I even wanted to become a tattoo artist...
My paternal grandmother had various tattoos: 4 on the face and I remember one on the wrist which went to the left hand.
I remember her long auburn-colored hair and the braid she used to do when she went to bed.
I've seen her 3 times, I wasn't very tall but I remember her perfume when she did my hair... There are memories that mark.
I don't know what region she came from and talking about her with my father to this day is difficult because he still hasn't mourned...
I know that my grandmother was, before my grandfather, with another man who had died. Before meeting my grandfather, she lived in the desert and she was a healer. That's the only information I have about it...
I have always been interested in tattoos and my research made me discover the symbolism of certain signs.
A year ago, I did a tattoo on my hand that my grandmother wore to honor her.
