Facial marks, scarification, and tattoos represent specific identification and beautification symbols among the Yoruba people. These marks are inscribed on the human body, especially the face, with different shapes and sizes. This age-long cultural practice has played a significant role in the socio-cultural consciousness and nation-building among the Yoruba in Nigeria.
Many scholars have written elaborately on Yoruba culture history; however, themes on tattoos, facial marks, and scarification have not been given proper attention in academic discourse. Facial marks and tattoos worn by the Yoruba have their origin, classification, and purposes within their respective culture.
Yoruba People.
Origins and Purposes
Some sociocultural groups believe in its beauty, some argue that it is a means of identification, while some consider its spiritual connotation. As a matter of fact, in Yoruba traditional custom, during the installation rite of an Oba (king), he would have to undergo some scarification rituals and spiritual/supernatural fortification.
This paper, therefore, examines the emergence of facial marks, the spiritual and socio-cultural value attached to the practice among the Yoruba in Nigeria. The significance of tattoos and other body art was also examined in the study. The paper also discusses the health hazards related to the practice, differences in facial marks, as well as the decline of facial marks among the Yoruba.
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Adinkra Symbols: A Broader Context
While focusing on Yoruba house tattoos, it's essential to understand the broader context of African symbolism. Adinkra symbols, for example, are visual representations of concepts, proverbs, and aphorisms originating from the Akans of Ghana in the 1700s or before. They now grace logos, clothing, furniture, architecture, and more. Saturated with meaning, Adinkra have come to represent the richness of Akan culture in particular and African culture in general. They serve as a concise way to convey deep truths in visual form.
Adinkra Symbols.
Due to their appealing attributes, Adinkra symbols are often used in logos and emblems to promote ideas and causes. Many of the symbols have their own associated Akan proverbs.
Examples of Adinkra Symbols and Their Meanings:
- Gye Nyame: Except God. A symbol expressing the omnipotence and supremacy of God.
- Sankofa: Go back and get it! A symbol for the wisdom of learning from the past to build for the future.
- King of the Adinkra symbols: A symbol for authority, leadership, and charisma. Also a symbol for qualities associated with kings.
- Mmrafo/Kwatakye Atiko: A symbol of valor and bravery.
- Mate Masie: Wisdom knot. A symbol of wisdom, ingenuity, intelligence, and patience.
Tattooing Practices in Sub-Saharan Africa
During the Age of Exploration, Europeans became aware of the extreme forms of body art practiced in Sub-Saharan Africa. One of these was scarification, a body modification procedure that offered a sculptural quality to the skin. Because there were a plethora of meanings that were embodied within the sacred art forms of the skin, African body art moved far beyond the Western construct of “art” itself.
This article takes an encyclopedic look at tattooing practices throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and includes the island of Madagascar. It should be noted that this article is by no means complete as there are many other groups that practiced tattooing throughout the regions described here.
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Examples From Other Tribes:
- Fulani: Men also seek to repel bad luck through the use of many forms of talismans worn in pouches or placed in their turbans. Wodaabe tattoos also reflect this magic because many symbols are associated with fertility or are employed as charms (toggu) to increase a man’s or woman’s beauty.
- Peul: Perhaps this is why Peul men are intricately tattooed so they might impress those women they meet during their long journeys through Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
- Barabaig and Karamajong: Among the Barabaig (also Datooga) of Tanzania and Karamajong of Uganda, these “goggle” tattoos surround the eye sockets of both men and women and are usually pigmented.
- Bushmen: Using a stone knife or sharp arrowhead, an old medicine man made a cut between the eyes of the patient and inserted into it a carbonized pigment with magical ingredients that included the pulverized remains of specific animals.
- Bini or Edo: One century ago, no male Bini citizen of the Kingdom without tattoos could exercise his prerogative of membership in the palace societies.
- Amharic: Many wear the distinctive “iron hand” cross as a tattoo on their sternum or foreheads that resembles the sun and acts as a talisman to ward off evil spirits or permanently mark their devotion to God.
- Fang: The Fang practiced two types of tattooing: relief tattoos (mamvam) that were a form of pigmented scarification, and flat tattoos (mevale) that were pricked with a comb-like tool into the skin.
Tattooed Barabaig man.
Yoruba Tattoo Masters: Oniisonon
For these reasons, Yoruba tattoo masters were highly sought after and were held in great regard. They were called oniisonon or “skilled designer” or “one who creates art.” Renowned tattooists were praised for their speed, skill, dexterity, and technique.
Most Yoruba motifs were derived from nature and featured cowrie shells (esa), lizards (alangba), palm trees (igi ope), arrows (ofa), ostrich (ogongo), vulture (igun), dove (adaba), chameleon (agemo), centipede (okun), butterfly (labalaba), corn cobs (agbado), and the “moon of honor” (osu ola).
Other motifs were taken from the material world and encompassed dance wands (ose) of the Thunder God Sango, Islamic writing boards (walaa), arm amulets (apa tira), a king’s crown (ade oba), staffs of authority (opa oye), game boards (opon ayo), anthropomorphs, the tattooist’s Y-shaped blade (abe), and even scissors, airplanes, wristwatches, and personal names in recent times.
Women were the primary recipients and Yorubas often commented that kolo are a “test” for the brave to endure so that they will be praised after their painful skin-cut tattoos have healed. Essentially, the patterns were acquired before marriage and prepared the woman for childbirth.
Read also: "Ire": A Deep Dive into Yoruba Meaning
Although physical appearances were highly esteemed in Yoruba society, the concept of outward beauty could not be separated from its complimentary interior dimension. Outer appearance may either hide or reveal one’s inner, or spiritual self.
The Yoruba prayer, “may my inner head not spoil the outer one” cautions one to conceal and control negative tendencies because they can affect outer appearance and, therefore, can draw hostility from others. Conversely, positive attributes such as courage should be displayed openly, for Yoruba assess an individual’s personality both from physical appearance and behavior.
In spite of the challenges faced by the people with facial marks, many families and communities continued with the art till today. With European colonization and modernization of Nigeria, the relevance of facial marks and scarification have, however, been suppressed while tattoo has been modified and modernised.
Tribal Marks vs Tattoos – History, Meaning & Identity
Table: Common Yoruba Motifs and Their Meanings
| Motif | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cowrie Shells (esa) | Affluence, Wealth |
| Lizards (alangba) | Adaptability, Survival |
| Palm Trees (igi ope) | Prosperity, Growth |
| Arrows (ofa) | Direction, Purpose |
| Butterfly (labalaba) | Transformation, Beauty |
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