Scarification and Cicatrisation among African cultures

Ethiopian woman

Nuba woman, Sudan

Karo tribe, southern ethiopia

Some of those pics are too graphic pls

There is dignity in nudity, they will all pass the pencil test

Nawa 4 the pictures. The scars are used to beautify themselves and sometimes for recognition (tribes and towns)

this practice is not only in africa;its a worlwide issue

SeanT21:

What does self hate have to do with tribal marks?

,

sad

abegi make we hear word

so what are tattoos and piercings? are those also signs of 'self hate' ?

oyb:

abegi make we hear word

so what are tattoos and piercings? are those also signs of 'self hate' ?

I wonder.

i luv this mask. i want one!

SeanT21 on: January 19, 2010, 11:03 PM:
What does self hate have to do with tribal marks?

i was wondering the same thing.

way too much

Some of them are nice

this is not a form of mutilation or self hatred, cultures all over the world mark thier bodies as a form of beauty, closeness with thier religious icons, tribal status, family tribe, an so forth. while scaring is more common in africa and the south pacific, it can be found in many other ancient cultures on every inhabited continent. just as tattooing was more prominent in the lighter skined areas, it as well was used for the same purpose again on every inhabited continent. piercings another example, used on every continent for the previosly stated reasons.

there is one tribe, who when the boys are about 11 they cut thier entire body to look like the crocodile.

identification not self hate.

Aren't they merely expressing themselves, their culture, beliefs and such?? I don't find it attractive or uselful myself, but I don't see it as self hatred.

oyb:

abegi make we hear word

so what are tattoos and piercings? are those also signs of 'self hate' ?

I joined the thread to point this out.

So tattoos and putting metal on your face is not scarring yourself? It is cool, sexy, modern and funky, not self-hate?

Let Lady Gaga or Rihanna get one of this tribal designs and see how the herd will follow and think it is cool, sexy, modern and funky.

Seems that was one of the few defences against slave trade back in the day and even then, it didnt prevent it. Also, for tribal identity and in some cases, medicinal purposes.

funny enough i think the 11th pic of the woman with a kid is kinda sexy if modern design is applied to it