التمثلاث الاجتماعية للوشم في الفضاء الحضري، دراسة ميدانية بمدينة وهران

Abstract

This article explores the social representations of tattooing in the urban space of Oran, Algeria, considering it as a social practice that reflects deep transformations in identity, values, and modes of life among youth. Based on the hypothesis that modern tattooing no longer merely extends traditional rural rituals but rather serves as a means of self-expression and negotiation of belonging, the study adopts an ethnographic approach. Through fieldwork that included interviews and direct observations involving tattooed individuals, professional tattoo artists, and urban residents, the research reveals a multiplicity of meanings attributed to tattoos—ranging from rebellion, distinction, and identity formation to therapeutic use. The findings also highlight how social perceptions of tattoos differ depending on gender, social status, and context. Ultimately, tattooing appears as a symbolic marker of contemporary urban life in Algeria, reflecting both freedom and social constraints within a shifting cultural landscape