7 Most Bizarre African scarification (Tribal marks) ritual still existing today: find out the meaning/purpose of every one of them

You are in for a shock, try not to be scared!

What is scarification? Scarification is the practice of incising the skin with a sharp instrument such as a knife, glass, stone, or coconut shell, in such a way as to control the shape of the scar tissue on various parts of the body. 

Cicatrisation is a special form of scarification where a gash is made in the skin with a sharp instrument, and irritation of the skin caused byapplying caustic plant juices forms permanent blisters. Dark pigments such as ground charcoal are sometimes  rubbed into the wound for emphasis. These cuts, when healed, form raised scars, known as keloids. The most complicated cicatrisation was probably found in the Congo Basin and neighboring regions, and among the Akan people of West Africa.

Pendant Ivory mask representing Queen Idia, Iyoba of Benin City (16th Century)

Scarification is a long and painful process, and a permanent modification of the body, transmitting complex messages about identity and social status. Permanent body markings emphasize social, political, and religious roles. Beautiful and complex designs depend on the artist’s skills but also on a person’s tolerance to pain.  

Facial scarification in West Africa was used for identification of ethnic groups, families, individuals but also to express beauty; scars were thought to beautify the body. It was also performed on girls to mark stages of life: puberty, marriage, etc. These marks assisted in making women more attractive to men, as the scars were regarded as appealing to touch as well as to look at, but also as testimony that women could withstand the pain of childbirth. Princesses in many places, including West Cameroon, used to sport amazingly beautiful and intricate marks. The sculpted face of Queen Idia of Benin Kingdom sports two mar as Well showing you some of the most Bizzare tribal markings.

ks on her forehead. For the Karo people of Ethiopia, men scar their chests to represent killing enemies from other tribes; women with scarred torsos and chests are considered particularly sensual and attractive. 

    So braceyourself  as I take you down the list and

7. YORUBA TRIBE-NIGERIA

The Yoruba believe the facial marks keeps evil spirits away. ( hence the more elaborate it is, the more effective it will be as these spirits can easily see them from afar)

The Yoruba tribal marks are scarifications which are specific identification and beautification marks designed on the face or body of the Yoruba people. The tribal marks are part of the Yoruba culture and are usually inscribed on the body by burning or cutting of the skin during childhood.

6. DATOGA TRIBE- TANZANIA

DATOGA people think the facial dots increases beauty and attracts suitor to ready teenagers especially  the girls.

The Datoga people are of nilotic origins, classified as Highland Southern NIlotes. They are thought to have settled in the Lake Eyasi area about 3,000 years ago from Southern Sudan and Western Ethiopia highlands, where they originally lived before moving to this new region.
5. OMO RIVER TRIBE -ETHIOPIA

A warrior, hunter or brave wrestler in Omo tribe is said to be incomplete without the body marks.
It is believed that a brave man is as strong as the number of dots on his body implying his number of victories in battle or contest. 

The Omo River (also called Omo-Bottego) in southern Ethiopia is the largest Ethiopian river outside the Nile Basin. Its course is entirely contained within the boundaries of Ethiopia, and it empties into Lake Turkana on the border with Kenya. The river is the principal stream of an endorheic drainage basin, the Turkana Basin.


4. The MURSI TRIBE-EHIOPIA

A Mural woman has her dignity in the lips plate. The scare is an extension of her bravery and endurance.

the Mursi tribe They are nomadic cattle herders live in the lower Omo Valley inside the mago national park near the Sudanese border. They are famous for its body decoration and ferocious culture

A mural woman with lips disc

3. MASSAI TRIBE- KENYA

A scared MASSAI teenage boy

The Maasai are a Nilotic ethnic group inhabiting northern, central and southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. They are among the best known local populations internationally due to their residence near the many game parks of the African Great Lakes, and their distinctive customs and dress. The Maasai speak the Maa language  a member of the Nilo-Saharan family that is related to the Dinka, Kalenjin and Nuer languages.

2. NUBA TRIBE-SUDAN

Scarification of a Nuba woman( the patterned markings are just unique to each family and shows exactly how wealthy and beautiful  a woman is or should be.

The Nuba peoples are various indigenous ethnic groups who inhabit the Nuba Mountains of South Kordofan state in Sudan, encompassing multiple distinct peoples that speak different languages which belong to at least two unrelated language families.


1. YOMBE TRIBE - CONGO

These markings are purely for Identification with distinct marking for one family and also for different people. Some are also thought to imply that an individual was selected by the village gods to lead the people.

The Yombe people primarily in Zambia, Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola. Adept at crafts and art, the men are involved in weaving, carving, and smelting, and the women make clay pots

What do you think of these marks and scared faces.
     Drop your comments and suggestions below.