Throughout Africa, weather conditions and tradition allowed negligible clothing. The procedure of cutting and raising scars had been widespread, as tattooing wasn’t effective on dark pigmented skin types. Scarification is a permanent procedure meant to adorn and beatify the body, and was considered artistic and had social significance. Scarifiction for Beauty  Scars were thought to beautify the body, and this particular journey meant for beautification through scarification often begins in the course of earlier childhood days, particularly for young African girls. The scarring occurs in the course of traditional rituals which celebrate the start of age of puberty, the first menstrual period and childbirth.Although there are other reasons for the procedure of scarification, beauty was nearly always a part of the reason Tattoo Scarification on the face Scarification is also seen as a test of braveness. Scarring is quite uncomfortable, and demands great personal strength. To get through the practice while not crying out in distress was a sign of ones strength and courage. To have done so would certainly The amount of scars on any person’s body demonstrated ones bravery and strength Tattoo Scarification for Fertility Scarring is particularly valued in younger women of marriageable age group. Abdominal scars are usually seen as being an sign of a woman’s determination to bear babies. In line with African tradition this is considered a very desirable quality in a future wife.The scars are likewise viewed as erogenous, due to their sensitive nature. They are believed to help to make any female more receptive to her husband’s sexual attention. Additional forms of ritual mutilation had and have, absolutely nothing to do with beauty and every thing to do with the manipulation of woman. Mutilation of the sexual organs is even now practiced today within many nations. The enjoyment associated with having sex is damaged and this is supposed to prevent the female from being unfaithful. Tattoo Scarification for tribal and family honour. Scars could also be a matter associated with family pride. The coming of age ritual for any young male can include requesting his sisters to experience a ritual beating that leaves their backs scarred and bloody. The scars are viewed as symbols of affection and respect by the sisters for their brother. The girls put up with the ritual without indicating their pain. This brings honor towards the entire family. Tattoo Scarification for Protection Spirituality takes on an important role in African culture, and many Africans believe in the presence of spirits around them, good as well as wicked. Facial scarring is occasionally used to help make a man or woman less appealing for the spirit of Death. In this case, scarring is employed as a means of protection. Ancient Art of Tattoo Scarring According to Africa scarification history, scars were produced in various ways, depending on their objective. Some slices were made using “Y” shaped cutters, whilst some were produced by drawing the skin upwards with fish hooks and slicing the tissue using a very sharp blade. After the wounds were infected, they were furtherdanaged through rubbing them with ashe and other nutural herbs to make them leave better scar tissue. The process extended the healing period and the result was a better scar or tattoo. Modern Day Scarification Scarring may be age-old, but it is not one that’s going out of fashion. Although scarification is in not practiced as much as it used to be in Africa, many other people from around the world have embraced the art. It seems that many forms of body art or body mutilation such as piercings etc. have taken hold. The motivation for scarification and tattoos in modern time are pretty much the same as they have always been. They are used to beautify the body with exotic patterns. In other words, they simply look cool when they’re well done. Tattoos and scarring are also used as a rite of passage and a test of inner strength. Once you’ve been through such painfull experience, you are stronger in the face of normal life problems. Tattoos and scarring mark significant moments in your life. How is scarifiaction carried out ? In the old days ancient methods were used. Modern day scarification happens in a well lit tattoo shops, using modern medical tools. The wounds are improved or “irritated” through putting peroxide and/or petroleum jelly on to them, and the scabs are peeled off to help to make the healing process longer thereby making the scar tissue more pronounced. African Tattoo and scarification background The oldest body image was found on a mummy of Amunet, a priestess of the Goddess Hathor, from 2160-1994 BC. The mummy’s basic tattoos were parallel traces on her arms, legs, and an elliptical design underneath her belly button. Interestingly, no male mummies discovered in Egypt had tattoos. Historians believe these designs represented fertility and restoration in females. In other parts of Africa, male mummies have been found to have tattoos or imagesbelieved to be related to sun worship. In the burial place of Seti I, going back to 1300 BC, body art denoting Neith, a Brutal battle Goddess, have been found on males. The very first known tattoo of a human being was found on Nubian woman mummies, goingback to 400 BC. The skin image picture portrayed the “God of Sex and overseer of orgies”, Bes. An additional form of early body ornamentation was ‘cicatrisation’ or “scarification”. The term cicatrisation was derived from the French word, cicatrices, which means ‘scar’. This type of body ornamentation was common among the dark skinned people of Africa.

Last updated Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:26