Tracker Pixel for Entry

​Tattoos in Cuba

Culture | June 2nd, 2016

Mike Dalager

Illegal tattoos in Cuba? Yes please…I’ll take one. That’s right. Tattooing is illegal in the entire country of Cuba. Not one license has ever been issued.

Tattooing has had a rough history around the world anyways but to think that nowadays we aren’t forward-thinking enough to let people decide on their own what or what not to permanently affix to their own bodies, is just ludicrous at best.

I am a big proponent of freedom of choice and maybe I have a biased opinion, but the rules in place already state that a person has to be 18 (an adult by classic definition) in order to get a tattoo. That seems like enough of a law, but in some states there is a 24 hour waiting period before the artist is allowed to make his or her masterpiece. And obviously there are health codes to comply with as in most businesses. No problem there.

If there is already a platform or outline for this type of work to exist, why not just put it in place? Ché Alejandro owns and operates the Toy Store Tattoo shop in Havana, Cuba. He has been in the tattoo scene in Cuba since the beginning. He has even been dubbed the “grandfather of tattoos.” His shop has been shut down, equipment confiscated, his employees fined, etc. all for practicing his art form. The main root of the problem lies within the political system of Cuba: communism.

is government-owned which means the citizens of Cuba are not allowed to own private businesses. Everyone who has a job makes similar wages, equaling around US$30 per month. No free enterprise. A few years ago, however, Raul Castro loosened some of these restrictions and issued operating licenses for more than 200 different types of businesses for private citizens to run.

Oddly enough, tattoo parlors were not on that list. Ché can’t even buy his equipment anywhere in the whole of Cuba. A special importer has to getlicensed to bring new needles, different grips, colorful inks, and even tattoo magazines to the people of this culture.

Hopefully there will be some more positive changes in the near future, but Ché will still be there biding his time giving tattoos and tattoo advice to all those willing. Despite how illegal it is, I still enjoyed getting a tattoo by Ché at less than half of what it would cost in the U.S. Maybe there are some benefits of this illegal way of life.

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comNorth Dakota communities will join a “nationwide day of defiance” against authoritarianism and President Donald Trump’s policies on Saturday, June 14. A range of "No Kings" events…

Back-to-school season is on the horizon, but there's still plenty of summer left. Check out our favorite August attractions and events in North Dakota and western Minnesota. And if if you missed them, here are a few excellent May…

June 21, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.Fargo Theatre, 314 Broadway N., Fargo“We Watch Shudder,” Fargo’s favorite horror podcasters, bring on the darkness during the longest day of the year. The Darkest Day of Horror Film Festival features…

Fighting the good fightBy Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Over two thousand rallies took place nationwide June 14 as part of the “No Kings" protest. Ten of those protests were held in North Dakota, with thousands in attendance.…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comWe need Paul Revere on a Harley: “ants and autocrats are coming!”The Asian needle ant has been nesting in the American South since at least 1932. It probably hitched a ride on a freighter from…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com The weather warmed up quickly here in the upper Midwest this spring, sparking prime eating season. This means burger battles, food trucks and lake-season food travel. The 2025 Downtown Fargo Burger…

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comThe Moorhead Public Library will offer three free, all-ages outdoor concerts featuring regional bands this summer. The series begins on June 12 with the Meat Rabbits, a group that blends…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com The June 9 death of musician Sylvester Stewart, known much better by stage name Sly Stone, saw an outpouring of tributes, memorials and appreciations from some who knew him personally and many…

By Deb Wallworkdwallwork@icloud.comI first met Catherine Mulligan at a party at her house. It was a small gathering, spontaneous, just a few people over for dinner. Directed toward a stack of plates and bowls and a big pot warming…

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comAct Up Theatre, in partnership with Minnesota State University Moorhead, will present “The Sound of Music” on June 10-14. All shows are at 7:30 p.m. at the Minnesota State Moorhead’s…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

The drug that keeps re-purposing itselfBy Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com There is a drug that is getting a lot of attention nowadays all over the world. It has various commercial names (Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus), but…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.com Working in the Bakken oil fields of the Williston Basin is so different from my home in Fargo. I'm not judging, because the people working and living in western North Dakota are very…