Tribal marks are distinctive facial markings, scratched into the skin with different designs and they hold profound social importance.
In Africa, these tribal markings are special in that, the style and shape of each marking gives identification of a person’s tribe, family or patrilineal heritage.
Different families, culture and tribes have special tribal marking that may represents certain strata in a community or a test of courage, etc
We’ll be discussing African tribal markings and their meaning
Ichi
Ichi is a scarification that was practised by the Nri-Igbo Ozo-Nze parliament.
The skin is incised in order to resemble sun rays on the persons face since the sun was a major deity among the Nri-Igbo.
It is a male marks for affluence and social status. It’s usually done with knives and remains there for life. Such procedures could last for over an hour. It took wounds much time to heal without medication as a test of male courage.
Gar
The Gar marking is done by the Nuer people in South Sudan and southwestern Ethiopia. Scars are usually unique within each tribe, nonetheless, the most common include the men having six parallel horizontal lines across the forehead with an on top of the nose indentation and the women usually adorn dotted patterns across their skin
Datoga
The Datoga tribe are cattle herders from Tanzania. Their body modification technique is to make small cuts on the face and allow them heal to form an aesthetic pattern. Moreover, Datoga mothers use tribal marks as a kind of talisman to protect their children from evil and remove tic substances from the body. They strongly believe in the magical powers of these marks
Dinka
The Dinka tribe comprises of many ethnic groups and each practice unique religions. They inhabit the East and West Banks of River Nile, from Mangalla to Renk, regions of Bahr el Ghazal, Upper Nile and Abyei Area of the Angok Dinka in South Khordofan of Sudan.
Their tribal marks are comprised of several lines carved on the forehead on each side ultimately forming a V shape. This is done to signify the transition from a boy to a man; if the boy screams or shows signs of being in pain, he is characterized as being weak
Bétamarribé
Photo credit: stock photo
Usually performed on girls from Benin, these tribal marks consist of a grid pattern on the face. It is said the marking is to suggest plant growth; which is a metaphor for child-bearing and the well-being of one’s household.
Woodaabe
The Woodaabe, Mbororo, or Bororo tribe are a sub-group of the Fulani tribe. The women adorn various patterns of tribal marks on their face which are then dyed to enhance the scar’s appearance. It is said the marks are to block evil spirits and for beautification purposes.
This is not an extensive list of the unique body markings performed throughout the continent. Nevertheless it is important to note that though these traditions have a significant meaning, they are becoming less important in many tribes especially because it is done at an early age. Some countries are beginning to impose fines and jail time for those who perform body markings. This is said to be done to protect the welfare of children.
Ogbanje scar
Used for protection. Often given to children who fall sick alot or are believed to be ogbanjé; so the evil spirits and spiritual husband will stop troubling them.