Adrena Cream
Adrena Cream is a poet and children's book author based out of New Jersey and a contributing writer to various websites. An early fascination with literature led Cream to pursue a bachelor's degree in English at Rutgers University, where she was a Carr Scholar awarded a full academic scholarship and studied under renowned Shakespearean authority Dr. Christopher Fitter.
By Adrena Cream, eHow Contributor
Traditional tattooing in African culture is not a mere expression of one's individuality. It is a series of intricately designed patterns that carry major cultural implications, where the body displays the strength of the inner character. Tribal lineage, maturity, spiritual protection, political/social status and personal strength are all indicated through the art of African tattooing. The most common and known method of tattooing involves ink, which is practiced worldwide today. The other and lesser known method of tattooing is that of scarification, which is still practiced, though less frequently, in certain tribes of Africa and rarely in the Western world.
History of Ink Tattoos
Egyptians began ink tattooing as far back as 5,000 years ago.Unlike other African cultures, Egyptians limited the practice of tattooing to women. After the discovery of Amunet Kanika, priestess to the Goddess Hathor who lived between 2160 to 1994 B.C., new light has been shed upon the significance of the tattooed women of Egypt. Female mummies who bore tattoos were found in burial sites reserved for women of high social status.
In the Nubian tradition, men and women were tattooed, men for protection in war, and women for blessings and protection during pregnancy. A dark pigment, usually soot, would be mixed with a woman's breast milk or oil and would be applied to the wound for color.
Significance of Ink Tattoos
The tattoos found on the women of Egypt were spiritually symbolic and protective. According to iloveindia.com, dot patterns and geometrically aligned lines were found across the breasts, belly and upper thigh. Amunet Kanika's tattooes consisted of parallel lines on the legs and the arms, and also an elliptical pattern beneath the navel. The patterns on the belly are such that during pregnancy as the belly stretches, the dot patterns stretch also, forming a protective band marking them under the protection of the ancient Egyptian Goddess Bes.
Scarification
Scarification dates back thousands of years, and is a long and immensely painful process. Both males and females are tattooed as a rite of passage to signify their transition into adulthood. Those who do not show evidence of pain are thought to possess profound inner strength and will, and are deemed a source of pride for their parents. The absence of cries garners considerable respect, and is also considered to be a show of respect for the family. Scarification is continually practiced throughout life to acknowledge various milestones.
Methods of Scarification
Scarification, or cicatrisation, is a ritualistic practice where razors or thorns are used to cut the skin to produce keloids in representative patterns on the body complementary to their purpose. Ashes were sometimes rubbed into the scar immediately after cutting, causing the wound to swell and prolong the healing process. This technique results in a heavier contrast with the skin after the healing process is complete. Scarification was widely practiced across many regions in Africa in the past, (the Congo, Ghana and Nigeria to name a few) and is still practiced today though not as frequently.
Significance of Scarification
The ritualistic nature of scarification is steeped in the spiritual cultural of Africa. Scarring on the belly of a female of marrying age is meant to encourage fertility and displays the woman's willingness to bear children. Scarring in some cultures, is meant to ward off harmful spirits. Some believe that scarring the face wards off Death. By scarring oneself, one becomes undesirable and thereby will be passed over.
In other cultures, scarring is practiced for beauty. Areas of scars on the face and body are placed in such a manner to accentuate facial bone structure and bodily curves to make one attractive to the opposite sex.
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