Scroll Down                      Page Loading                        Scroll Down

 

Galerie Ezakwantu African Art       Franschhoek South Africa       Tribal Art   Central and Southern African Tribal Art    Home                                                                                                                                                                                                   Contact

 

 

African Scarification   The Body Art of Africa                          Volkerkunde - 1895 - Prof. Dr. Friedrich Razel            LAMMERETZ   "Bakutshu d'Oshwe"   1935     In Africa, climate and custom permitted negligible clothing. The operation of cutting and raising scars was common, as tattooing was not effective on dark pigmented skins. Scarification was a permanent procedure meant to decorate and beatify the body, considered artistic and was socially valuable.   The process involved puncturing or cutting patterns and motifs into the upper levels of skin. Different tools produced different types of scars, some subtle, others profound. Ash and certain organic saps could be added to a wound to make the scarring more prominent.     Click Thumbnails for Larger Images       The coming of age and motherhood.     In many cultures scarification served as a symbol of strength, fortitude, or courage in both men and women. As a result, scars brought forth society's admiration. Though scarification effects were highly valued, the procedure was painful. Beautiful and complex designs depend not only on the artist's skill, but on the tolerance of pain. A woman's eagerness to bear the pain of scarification is taken to indicate her emotional maturity and willingness to bear children. Often the first scars a young woman received were on her abdomen, emphasizing her role in childbearing. Designs are added from a young age and continue through adulthood.     Facial Scarification            Identifying body and facial patterns easily identified one tribal grouping to another.     Scarification was imprinted on aesthetically pleasing sculpture. It identifies early collected objects to specific people. Though the fashion of scarification has fallen away, it remains identifiable to the society from which it came.                       Kuba and related peoples all practiced scarification to to adorn the body. Shoowa fabric patterns were replicated.                 Woman were responsible for decorating the fabrics with Shoowa design.   The art of scarification has changed in Africa and elsewhere. The pressure of encroaching urban values and the widespread adoption of clothing are contributing more and more falling popularity. In many communities, scarification patterns are only seen on the elderly.            More here including Scarification - Piercing - Stretching - Filing - Deforming - Mutilation   Related Page African Lip Plates Scarification Chokwe Initiation Southern African Tattoos Thembu Scarification African Video Clips Scarify the Body Xhosa Scarification The Olden Days African Scarification     We hope you have enjoyed the page. Images provided as a service to viewers.   *