Scarification is a bloody and painful way of "decorating" the body among African tribes
Scarification is a bloody and painful way of "decorating" the body among African tribes

Video: Scarification is a bloody and painful way of "decorating" the body among African tribes

Video: Scarification is a bloody and painful way of
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Ethiopians adorn themselves with scars
Ethiopians adorn themselves with scars

Talking about African tribes, one never ceases to wonder what traditions are still preserved among individual peoples. So for some Ethiopians, scarification is an integral part of their culture. Overcoming pain, residents "decorate" themselves with all kinds of dotted lines and reliefs, carving them into the skin.

Images by French photographer Eric Lafforgue
Images by French photographer Eric Lafforgue

French photographer Eric Laforgue (Eric Lafforgue) is known for his photographs depicting people from different cultures, from Panama to North Korea. This time he presented a series of photographs titled Scarifications Ethiopiennes, which is dedicated to the scarring ceremony of the Ethiopians.

Scarification is the custom of scarring the body
Scarification is the custom of scarring the body

Among the representatives of such peoples as Bodi, Suri and Mursi, scarification is considered an integral part of their culture. In the male half of the tribe, scars are applied during the initiation ceremony, and in women, such tattoos are considered a sign of beauty.

Painful scarring ritual
Painful scarring ritual

Despite the fact that this process is very painful, girls are not allowed to express their emotions. Crying is considered shameful. In addition, Ethiopians believe that the manifestation of courage during scarification is a sign that such women will be able to withstand childbirth in the future. In order to make scarification, tribal members use a razor blade and a thorn. After making the incisions, ash or plant sap is rubbed into the wounds in order to form reliefs.

Scars are a sign of beauty in Ethiopians
Scars are a sign of beauty in Ethiopians

Unfortunately, there are also "side" effects when performing the scarring ceremony. Since the tribesmen use mostly the same blade, hepatitis and AIDS are spreading rapidly among them. In addition, among the urban population, scarification is considered a sign of "primitivism", therefore, visiting tribal members do their best to hide their reliefs.

Scarification is a ritual among the peoples of Ethiopia
Scarification is a ritual among the peoples of Ethiopia

Despite the fact that scarification is considered a purely African way of identification, in developed European countries you can also see people covered with similar scars. Such experiments on the body are called extreme body painting.

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