Women’s Scarification in Africa

Women's Scarification In Africa

Scarification consists in cutting the skin to get scars that come in different patterns.

Traditionally, women’s scarred bodies represent different stages of their life. The most commonly seen scars begin with the torso, scarring specific patterns at about the age of ten. When a girl reaches puberty, she receives more under the breasts and after having her first child she will receive scars on her arms, back, and legs.

Each tribe has its own pattern and in some tribes women can’t get married if they don’t have the specific scars . Much of the significance of the scars is centred around the religious beliefs of the tribe. As the bearer of children, the fertility of the land and of family lineage depends on the woman. When a girl is pregnant , she becomes scarred for the community by the scarmaster, this transformation is represented by the scars that are added to the belly. With the navel as the axis, the elaborate designs are centred around where life will be formed. This scarification secures the girl into womanhood for the whole tribe to see. Although there are other reasons for the practice of scarification, the quest for beauty is nearly always part of the goal.

These tools made out of iron , are used to by the scarmaster to create the scars . What’s more , there’s a ceremony that takes place for cutting children/babies skin with these tools . Scarification is also viewed as a test of courage. Scarring is quite painful, and requires great personal strength to get through the procedure without crying out in pain. To do so would be to humiliate yourself. As concerns the modern scars , they are also used to beautify the body with exotic patterns. In other words, they simply look cool when they're well done.

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