A form of tattooing
called cicatrisation or scarification is widely practiced in traditional African
societies. Rubbing charcoal into small cuts made with razors or thorns forms
decorative patterns of scar tissue in the skin. These designs are often
indicative of social rank, traits of character, political status and religious
authority. For African women, scarification is largely associated with
fertility. Scars added at puberty, after the birth of the first child, or
following the end of breastfeeding highlight the bravery of women in enduring
the pain of childbirth. Scars on the hips and buttocks, on the other hand, both
visually and tactually accentuate the erotic and sensual aspects of these parts
of the female body.
Some early African fertility carvings had symbols on them that may be tattoos.
Tattoo Museum Bibliography, Resources and Links
See all African Tattoo Culture Articles here
See the Lars Krutak articles:
Tattoos of the Makonde, Tattoos of Sub-Saharan Africa & Tattooing in North Africa, The Middle East and Balkans for more information about tattoos and tattooing in Africa.