Nzyuko Munguti likes that his tattoos cause people to take a second look.

‘When people see it, they really think it’s hanging around my neck and swaying off my chest,’ said Munguti, a senior child and family studies major. ‘Truthfully, it’s a great conversation starter.’

He decided to get inked in his hometown, Paterson, N.J., with something that only he would have and expressed his religion. Going to Catholic school all of his life, Munguti always wanted to keep God close to his heart wherever he went.

The rosary tattoo is Munguti’s second ink job. The one on his back, which he got at age 15, has a similar design. It’s a cross with rosary beads swaying to the side and a crown on top. His initials are etched into the front.

He said the next piece of art he gets inked on his body will represent his fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. But, of course, it will be one of a kind.

Said Munguti: ‘When people stop and have to take a double-take, then I know my tattoo is a winner.’

–Compiled by Marquise Francis, contributing writer, mafran01@syr.edu

Published on April 2, 2012 at 12:00 pm