Stats: 3,191,296 members, 7,943,678 topics. Date: Sunday, 08 September 2024 at 09:36 PM |
Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership (3011 Views)
Nigeria’s Problems Started With Awo’s Introduction Of Tribal Politics — Unongo / Bill To Prohibit Tribal Marks Passes Second Reading In Senate / Dino Melaye Set To Sponsor Bill Against Tribal Marks After Seeing This Photo (2) (3) (4)
The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by makzeze: 6:24am On Oct 24, 2015 |
Tribal marks were once used as a means of identification, inoculation against diseases and beautification. Sadly, the tradition is fast fading out and this is due to several reasons. Timothy Opaluwa writes Kunle Idowu, a 54-year old business man who is an Abeokuta resident has always been asked jokingly by friends if he was attacked by a tiger or a lion. This is because his handsome face bears the tribal marks known as ‘Abaja Owu’; three bold horizontal marks atop three equally visible vertical ones on each cheek. According to Idowu, “I cannot subject my children to the embarrassment I suffered over the marks I have on my face. During my school days, they called me all sorts of names because of the bold tribal marks my grandparents put on my face. I have been rejected by ladies severally due to the marks on my face.” Nowadays, tribal marks have become dying mementos of an ancient era. Some of the young people who have it feel resentment towards their parents for giving them such scars. Across the major and minor tribes in Nigeria, tribal marks have been a way of identification. Ethnic groups such as the Yoruba, Hausa, Kanuri, Nupe, Jarawa in Plateau and Igala are known to have some of the marks. Such marks reveal instantly, the tribe of anybody who bears them. Giving reasons why tribal marks are predominantly used in some parts of Nigeria, an expert in History and Philosophy, Dr Babalola Adeyinka who spoke to LEADERSHIP Weekend said, “Tribal marks came into Nigeria during the colonial era when the colonial masters were capturing people and taking them to foreign countries for slavery, people started giving their family members marks to locate them if ever they were captured and to recognise them when they are freed. These permanent marks are ways of identification passed on from family to family, members of the same village, identification of royal lineage and people from the same lineage. “It was also used during the period of inter-tribal wars. It was a simple means of knowing where someone came from; that is to identify their towns of origin and families. People believe that a person with tribal marks will not remain missing for too long. Such a person, if separated from his relations during war or other conflicts, would meet someone who would identify his town and even his family through this marks. Such wars have ceased, making tribal marks is a thing of the past,” Adeyinka explained. Continuing, he said some people also give these marks for protection against certain diseases. “The marks were not only given on the face, but also on the chest, back, stomach, thigh or arm. For instance, in Akoko-Edo area of Edo State, the three-quarter-inch vertical mark on each cheek is an inoculation against convulsion, which is mandatory for babies. Since most childhood killer diseases now have vaccines, herbal or local inoculations that resemble facial marks are fast going out of fashion. In recent times, it is very difficult to find tribal marks on people who are younger than 35 years in Nigeria. The culture may remain a while with traditional institutions, but this also will disappear with time,” Adeyinka noted. Corroborating Adeyinka, An octogenarian, Alhaji Bolaji Adekunle, who also spoke to LEADERSHIP Weekend, noted that tribal marks were used as a source of identification in the olden days. “People who were migrating to other places had these marks given to them as a mark of identification so that whosoever came in contact with them would know instantly where they were coming from. For instance, there are tribal marks that tell you instantly that someone is an Egba man, an Ilaje person or an Ijesha man. In my days, they are considered beautiful. I am a first son and I was given these beautiful marks at birth. Ironically, things have changed. None of my children or grandchildren have any tribal marks. That tradition is fading out now.” It is interesting to note that tribal marks are not limited to Nigeria, but to other countries as well. For instance, the Nuer of Sudan give tribal marks as a mark of transition from childhood to boyhood; hence, it is meant only for boys from age 15 and above. It is a ritual deserving a lot of courage as the traditional healer usually cuts each of the six vertical marks so deep that the cheek bones are often exposed! After the marks heal, the Nuer boy becomes a responsible and respected man in his community. He can then marry and settle down to adult life. Going down memory lane, it could be recalled that from the First Republic to the present day, Nigeria has had several leaders who wore their tribal marks like garments of honour. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Ahmadu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Ladoke Akintola , Chief Lamidi Adedibu, General Sani Abacha, Chief Richard Akinjide, Olusegun Obasanjo amongst others wore distinct tribal marks that stood them out in the days they held sway. Although these marks have a long history of tradition and culture, some Nigerians believe the practice of tribal marks should be stopped, because they are old-fashioned. A medical doctor, Godwin Atabo, wonders why anybody should still be interested in tribal marks in spite of the deadly infections, including hepatitis and HIV, which can be transmitted in the process. Atabo advises that since the process, unlike male circumcision, cannot be done in hospitals with properly sterilised equipment, it should be discouraged. Some Nigerian states have enacted laws to ban giving children tribal marks and imposing heavy fines on violators or prison terms. For instance, Ayo Fayose, the former governor of Ekiti State, made facial marks and tattoos illegal in the state in 2006 in line with its Child Rights Law. Also, former governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, banned people in the state from giving facial marks or tattoos to their children. Nowadays, many children are no longer given tribal marks, thanks to modernisation and extant laws. http://www.leadership.ng/news/469347/the-dying-tradition-of-tribal-marks 1 Like
|
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by Beesluv: 6:25am On Oct 24, 2015 |
Hmmmm, it can no longer exist with the present world. If it even exists, "foundation" dey for them ladies to cover it up ![]() |
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by SeverusSnape(m): 6:26am On Oct 24, 2015 |
It's a good thing, let the tradition die out completely. I can't imagine my self disfiguring the face of my child all in the name of culture. His/Her face will now look as though he/she was attacked by a tiger. ![]() 2 Likes |
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by Nobody: 6:26am On Oct 24, 2015 |
Lol...I thought these folks love tradition so much. Why are they abandoning their tradition because "It embarrasses them" 4 Likes |
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by SeverusSnape(m): 6:29am On Oct 24, 2015 |
liberty300:... Because indeed, It's embarrassing. 2 Likes |
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by ELTON123(m): 6:40am On Oct 24, 2015 |
Is that why the behave like cowards ![]() ![]() 2 Likes |
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by Demmocrats(m): 6:43am On Oct 24, 2015 |
Not only fade away it needs to be scrapped away and draft a big apology for those affected by those who did it. |
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by ogunyooye(m): 6:47am On Oct 24, 2015 |
You don't see football players with tribal marks. and nowadays most parents wants their wards to become an European football star so they desist from the tradition. Personal Simple View - PSV |
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by deewhone(f): 6:48am On Oct 24, 2015 |
Let it go extinct abeg! Can't imagine having that on mah face...arrrrrrrrgh |
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by kelch19(m): 6:53am On Oct 24, 2015 |
This is why nnamdi kanu call them people from the zoo..this guys are from cat family.. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 5 Likes |
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by egbaguy: 6:54am On Oct 24, 2015 |
People need to b arrested for this rubbish........ |
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by Dolypson04(m): 7:00am On Oct 24, 2015 |
My say |
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by Dolypson04(m): 7:00am On Oct 24, 2015 |
We Africans are hypocrites and damn inferior. Just imagine if tribal mark was a Western culture, people will still be spending a lot of money just to have their face marked. Tell me the difference between tribal mark and permanent facial tattoo. I am not in support of tribal mark tho but if tribal mark should be stopped so tattooing also should be. The last time I checked, tattoo was a means of identifying animals. 3 Likes |
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by Nobody: 7:08am On Oct 24, 2015 |
deewhone:Fine girl, u're too pretty to have such on ur face. Dearie ![]() |
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by SkyBlue1: 7:10am On Oct 24, 2015 |
Dolypson04: Lame argument. Tatoo is a choice, scarification is not. Babies and children do not ask for it. 3 Likes |
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by Nobody: 7:11am On Oct 24, 2015 |
Dolypson04:lol, wat is dis one saying. Comparin tattoos to ugly tribal marks. Coman stop tattoos let me see u na. Mtcheeeew 2 Likes |
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by tsdarkside(m): 7:12am On Oct 24, 2015 |
SeverusSnape: homosexaulity is not embarrassing....mtschewwwwwwwwwwwwww.... |
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by tsdarkside(m): 7:15am On Oct 24, 2015 |
Dolypson04: no,no...tribal marks is not good,but tattoos are good...dont mind dem...they just love whorshipping white-people and hate dem selfs...hypocrites.... 2 Likes |
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by SeverusSnape(m): 7:15am On Oct 24, 2015 |
tsdarkside:Who's talking about homosexuality now? ![]() 1 Like |
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by BALLOSKI: 7:23am On Oct 24, 2015 |
for this reason, I have very tiny ones on my face(my nose is flanked by them). |
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by BALLOSKI: 7:26am On Oct 24, 2015 |
Durentt:make we hear word jare! You don go check her dp already. Haba! |
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by Bobbystanley(m): 7:31am On Oct 24, 2015 |
It should fade away Biko. This is 21st Century |
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by Nobody: 7:38am On Oct 24, 2015 |
BALLOSKI:weytin man go do na ![]() |
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by ekafine(f): 7:41am On Oct 24, 2015 |
QuotaSystem, aresa(ekoile) has similar marks all over their faces. |
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by ekafine(f): 7:42am On Oct 24, 2015 |
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by moyosore27384(m): 8:37am On Oct 24, 2015 |
Tribal mark was a means of identification in some part of Africa including d Old Tattoos that came into being again in d 20th century both r means of identification. why shld we stop tribal mark is it bcux it's looks horrible while some handsome, lets take a look at d new tattoo newly came in through d western world was firstly done by d Yorubas dis was done in any case if their wards got missing people can identify him/ her by d tribal marks and no d name through d tattoos in d body. Westernisation got so many of d Africans traditions missing. Okay, looking at sagging found at every nook and cranny of d Africans house was through Western world this we don't know dt the dn prisoners in America use this as sign whn breaking prisons, we r lossing much of our rich cultural heritage to Westerns craziness. |
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by Herald47: 8:53am On Oct 24, 2015 |
Imagine using cutlass and matchet to scratch a God given face making it to look as if he or she belongs to the cat family and u call it tradition,mbanu,this is horrofic,they should stop it biko. |
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by BALLOSKI: 12:13pm On Oct 24, 2015 |
Re: The Dying Tradition Of Tribal Marks(Photos)-Leadership by vanunu: 12:41pm On Oct 24, 2015 |
Why is it that it is only people from the southeast and niger delta that does not have tribal marks? |
(1) (Reply)
BREAKING NEWS: Ogboru Of Labour Party Has Committed Political Suicide... / Proof That Ojukwu Visited Buhari In His House In Daura In 2003 / Ngos,csos/support Groups Unanimously Endorse The Second Tenure Of Gov.dave Umahi
(Go Up)
Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 38 |