afro film viewer

  • Subscribe to our RSS feed.
  • Twitter
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Digg

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Why Some People Want Facial Scars

Posted on 5:12 AM by john cena

Ten-year-old Luc after scarification
Body marking has been used for centuries in parts of Africa to indicate a person's tribal heritage. It's becoming less common but some people still want to carry the marks of their ancestors. This article by BBC News contains images which some might find disturbing.

In the town of Ouidah in southern Benin, a voodoo ritual is about to take place following two days of celebration.

The Houeda ethnic group is one of a number in Benin which believes that scarring children - usually on their face - will connect them with their ancestors.


The children are given new names, their hair is shaved and they are taken to a convent where an oracle helps them to communicate with previous generations.

The oracle in Ouidah
"This is part of our tradition and it is very important to me," says Genevieve Boko whose six-month-old daughter Marina and nephews Luc and Hospice, aged 10 and 12, are all about to undergo scarification.

Genevieve Boko with daughter Marina, and nephews Luc and Hospice
Ash is used to mark the place where the incisions are to be made and then it takes a few seconds to make the cuts.

Ash being applied to one of Boko's nephews
"My friends asked me if it hurt and if I cried and I said 'No'," says Luc afterwards. "Before, when I walked in the street with my big brother who has the scars, people would not believe he is my brother. Now I am happy because we look the same."

Since her husband died, Gamba Dahoui has carried out all the local scarifications - she cleans the incisions with medicinal plants and gin. Charcoal is also put on the wounds to help them heal.

Gamba Dahoui holding a knife
Dahoui always uses the same knife, ignoring official advice to use new sterile blades for each person, to avoid the risk of transmitting blood-borne infections such as tetanus and HIV.

But scarring is becoming less popular. An increasing number of families take part in just the first stage of the ceremony, stopping before the incisions are made.

It's the same in other parts of the country where each ethnic group has its own distinct scarring patterns.

"With my scars, I am identified everywhere I go," says Fleury Yoro, who comes from Atacora in the north of the country. "If I had the choice I would not have wanted to be scarred like this."

Fleury Yoro
When he studied in Benin's largest city, Cotonou, he says he was often mocked because of his scars. Some people "did not want anyone to think they could be friends with such a savage," he says.

Others have different reasons for deciding not to pass the scars on to younger generations. Sinkeni Ntcha stopped after his first three children "because of Aids," he says. "Blades have to be changed each time but the chiefs refused."

For him, a member of the Otomari people, the marks are "useless". Traditional culture can be expressed in other ways, he says, through language, dances, initiation ceremonies and architecture.

Sinkeni Ntcha next to a traditional building
Inside a traditional house
Edith's face and stomach marked by scars
Many Otomari people still opt for scarring, including some young women who may have cuts on their backs and stomachs when they reach puberty to "show your courage," says Edith (pictured above). The patterns are often similar to the designs on the walls of local buildings.

While Genevieve Boko's daughter Marina (below) was six months old when she received the marks - babies in some areas of Benin undergo the process a week after they are born.

Boko's daughter Marina undergoing scarification
Marina after the incisions were made
In neighbouring Nigeria, concerns about the rights of young people have led to some states passing a law that bans the practise on all children.

But this is not a move that would be welcomed by everyone in Benin. "We are not violating children's rights, we are just showing the children where they are from and what they will go through in life," says Telesphore Sekou Nassikou, chief editor at a radio station in Natitingou in the north-west of the country.

For him, the scars convey a message: "Beware, there is pain in this world, and you will feel pain in your life. But the pain will stop, if you can endure."

 Telesphore Sekou Nassikou

By Laeila Adjovi
BBC Africa, Benin
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to Facebook
Posted in | No comments
Newer Post Older Post Home

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Popular Posts

  • Style By: Memory Mbewe
    My name is Memory Mbewe, I'm a wife and mother of none. I hold an honours degree in Accounting and I'm a fully qualified Chartered A...
  • Pictures: Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, Gabrielle Union And Many More Stars At The Think Like A Man Too Premiere
    The 'Think Like A Man Too' premiere took place at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on Monday 9th June, attracting a host of star...
  • Karrueche Tran Goes Clubbing With Chris Brown After Opening Up About 'Heartbreaking' Love Triangle With Rihanna
    Chris Brown and his long-term girlfriend Karrueche Tran have made their first public appearance since Karrueche broke down on talk show ...
  • Lupita Nyong'o Dazzles As She Is Honoured At Maui Film Festival
    Wearing an electric blue dress embroidered with gold palm trees, Oscar winning actress Lupita Nyong'o. The stunning star was pictured a...
  • Movie Night: Childless Widow Starring Mercy Johnson And Chinyere Wilfred
    This movie centers on the plight of a widow Anyanwu (Chinyere Wilfred).   Anyanwu is accused of killing her husband and labelled a witch by ...
  • Movie Night: 'Crazy Scandal' Starring Frank Artus, Nadia Buari, And Juliet Ibrahim
    Jeff, a runaway groom abandons his 'wife to be' at the altar on their wedding day. Samantha the abandoned bride is later devastated ...
  • Genevieve Nnaji Takes Time Out In London
    Genevieve Nnaji is taking more time out to unwind, this time she's in London.  The gorgeous actress who has been in LA for some time now...
  • African Queen! Lola Okoye Shows Off New Braided Look
    Aww, you can't help but love Lola Okoye. The gorgeous yummy mummy and wife of one half of African singer sensation PSquare shared a few...
  • Style By: Agatha Ashiofu (Irony Of Ashi)
    My name is Agatha Ashiofu; I currently reside in the US as a full time oil and gas accountant by day and fashion/beauty blogger by night/wee...
  • Naomi Steps Out In Red As She Attends Serpentine Gallery Summer Bash
    Naomi Campbell looks stunning as she arrived at the Serpentine Gallery Summer bash on Tuesday night. The 40-year supermodel wore a red sequ...

Categories

  • #BBA #BillboardMusicAward2014
  • #Beyonce #Solange
  • #BringBackOurGirls
  • #Happy
  • #Iran
  • #JasonNjoku #Iroko
  • #ThinkLikeAManToo
  • #WhatJayZSaidtoSolange
  • Ankara
  • Ankara style
  • Apple
  • Beats
  • Beats By Dre
  • Beyonce
  • Billboard Music Award 2014
  • Boko Haram
  • Breakups
  • Charles Novia
  • Dr Dre
  • Dubai
  • Engagement
  • Gabrielle Union
  • Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegin
  • Genevieve Nnaji
  • Instagram
  • JayZ
  • Kelly Rowland
  • Kente
  • Kim Kardashian
  • Mario Balotelli
  • Married Life
  • Meagan Good
  • Mercy Johnson
  • Michelle Williams
  • Neyo
  • Nigeria
  • Nigerian Weddings
  • President Jonathan
  • Relationships
  • Shakira
  • Solange
  • Stephanie Uche
  • Super Eagles
  • Think Like A Man
  • Think Like A Man Too Premiere
  • Tiwa Savage
  • Toke Makinwa
  • Toke Moments
  • Tonto Dikeh
  • Uche Kalu
  • Uti Nwachkwu
  • Weddings
  • World Cup
  • World Cup 2014

Blog Archive

  • ▼  2014 (500)
    • ►  August (2)
    • ►  July (212)
    • ▼  June (144)
      • Coach Keshi And Captain Yobo Quit Super Eagles
      • Picture Of The Day!
      • Hilarious Pictures From New Nollywood Movie 'About...
      • Adaeze Yobo Blasts Super Eagles Haters Who Insulte...
      • Nigeria Bow Out Of World Cup After 2-0 Defeat By F...
      • Red Carpet: The BET Awards 2014 And Full Winners List
      • Happy Monday!
      • Happy New Week!
      • Fashion We Like: Week Beginning 29th June
      • Premiere: "Sugar Rush" -Tonto Dikeh (Poko Lee)
      • Happy Weekend Lovelies!
      • Battle Of The Nollywood Babes! Rita Dominic And Ch...
      • Natural Beauty! Tiwa Savage Share Makeup Free Selfie
      • Relationships: 6 Keys To A Great Relationship
      • Pictures: President Goodluck Jonathan Visits Abuja...
      • 'Our Close Shave With Death' -Abuja Blast Survivors
      • Ridiculous! Nigerian Singer Adokiye Offers Her Vir...
      • What Happened When One Woman Had Her Picture Photo...
      • Picture Of The Day
      • Pregnant Actress Uche Ogbodo Splits From Her Husband
      • African Sweetheart Weddings On Instagram Part 9
      • Daugther Of Late Crocodile Hunter, Bindi Irwin Wan...
      • Nigerian Super Eagles Qualify For Final 16 At The ...
      • Rihanna Goes Modest As She Covers Harper's Bazaar...
      • Relationships: If Only
      • At Least 21 Killed As Deadly Bomb Blast Hits Niger...
      • Relationship: 5 Questions Every Single Woman Shoul...
      • Lupita Nyong'o's Dazzles In Her First LancĂ´me Camp...
      • Happy Wednesday!
      • Cookery- Moist Banana Bread- Diva's Can Cook
      • "He Is Very Arrogant" -Publicists Egor Efiok Blast...
      • Pictures: Comedian AY And His Wife Mabel In Brazil
      • Wedding Bells? Nicole Scherzinger And Lewis Hamilt...
      • Style: Traditional Inspiration
      • Picture Of The Day
      • Egypt Court Sentences Al Jazeera Journalists
      • Meriam Ibrahim Freed From Death Sentence
      • Primark Shopper Left In Shock After Discovering 'C...
      • Wellness: My Fertility Journey
      • Happy Monday!
      • Juliet Ibrahim Ends Her Marriage -Read The Officia...
      • Fashion We Like: Week Beginning 21st June
      • World Cup Updates 22/06/14
      • Happy New Week!
      • We Are 2 Today!
      • Brother Of Ivory Coast Stars Yaya And Kolo Toure Dies
      • Oh Baby! Kelly Rowland Looks At Peace As She Bares...
      • Lupita Nyong'o Gets Her First Vogue Cover!
      • "She's A Real One" -Chris Brown Declares Love For ...
      • Nollywood Actor Walter Anga Introduces His Cute F...
      • Relationships: Negativity Will Block Your Blessings
      • Naeto C Shares Picture Of His Adorable Son With Fans
      • Picture Of The Day
      • Peter Okoye Celebrates The Arrival Of His Brand N...
      • Style By: Corine Sery
      • Listening To: “Say Yes” -By Michelle Williams’ Fea...
      • Adaeze Yobo's Mum Abigail Fashanu Dismisses Rumou...
      • 'Mr Shy Guy?' -Toke Makinwa Has Some Advise For You
      • Isoken Asemota From Puksies Wardrobe Talks About H...
      • Happy Wednesday!
      • 'Think Like A Man Too' Ladies Wow At Good Morning ...
      • Memphis Man Sentenced To Death For Murdering Girlf...
      • Pictures: Ezine And Kelechi's Igba Nkwu Nwanyi (I...
      • Pictures From The EiE Fundraising Auction Dinner
      • Why Some People Want Facial Scars
      • Picture Of The Day
      • 48 Killed In Deadly Kenya Hotel Attack
      • Nneka Covers TW Magazine’s June Issue
      • Career: The 12 Best Jobs For Women In 2014
      • Michael Schumacher 'No Longer In A Coma And Has Le...
      • Wishing You A Blessed Monday!
      • Father's Day Love! Peter Okoye And Son Cameroon En...
      • Happy Father's Day!
      • Fashion We Like: Week Beginning 15th June
      • Sunday Sermon: "Why He's NOT Going To Be Your Husb...
      • Happy Sunday Beautifuls!
      • Sad News! Singer Kefee Has Passed On
      • Lol: World Cup 2014
      • Happy Thursday Guys!
      • African Queen! Lola Okoye Shows Off New Braided Look
      • Kelly Rowland Announces Pregnancy With Adorable Pi...
      • #BBCtrending: Is Kenya's Vera Sidika A #BleachedBe...
      • Happy New Day!
      • Business Mogul Femi Otedola And Daughter DJ Cuppy ...
      • President Goodluck Jonathan Shares Supportive Mess...
      • Style Galore! "Are Toke Makinwa, Bolanle Olukanni...
      • Genevieve Nnaji Looks Effortlessly Chic As She Spo...
      • Think Like A Man Too Stars Dazzle At The Sony Pres...
      • Pictures: Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, Gabrie...
      • CEO Dancers Cover July's Issue Of Zen Magazine
      • Mario Balotelli Confirms Engagement To Girlfriend ...
      • Women Reported Kidnapped In Northern Nigeria
      • "Please Help My Son Finish His Battle With Cancer"...
      • Elizabeth Arden First African Ambassador Adeola Ar...
      • Picture Of The Day
      • Happy Birthday Tonto! It's Cake Galore As The Noll...
      • Chidiogo Akunyili's Pays Tribute To Her Late Mothe...
      • Monica Talks To Essence About Her Faith And Spirit...
      • At Least 22 Killed As Heavy Fighting Is Reported A...
      • Relationships: Controlling Vs. Loving
    • ►  May (142)
Powered by Blogger.

About Me

john cena
View my complete profile