How Did Scarification Occur In West Africa

In Africa, scarification was quite a bit different. Though there were often similar meanings behind the scars, for example, tribal markings, social inclusion, signifying life events, and marks of beauty and decoration; there were still quite a big difference between African and Aboriginal scarification. One of the key differences in West Africa was that scar were generally given to children, or more so infants on their naming day, which took place 8 days after birth.!!!!!!! And these were usually tribal marks. Another different reasoning was medical. It was not uncommon for sick children to have cuts made and have medicine or special plants or herbs, rubbed into the cut to help heal the child, and would result in permanent scars. These scars also signified survival, and near death
Some scarification was done to ward off evil spirits, rather than carrying around a piece of jewellery that could be stolen. This was an individual’s choice and done during adulthood. Often other members of their tribe would then perceive this person as being curses, as one would have to have significant reasoning to get such a scar, and therefore would result in this person becoming a social outcast, whereas usually scarification was done for social inclusion. Scarification was also used as a means of decoration or to enhance one’s beauty. While men could get these scars, they were far more common on women, and were usually received during teenage years, and done by themselves, although these could also be done during infancy. Scarification could also be down to show social positions or if one was of chiefton descent. However, these scars were more so seen as a burden, as they would prevent people from choosing their own role in life, and instead would require them to fight for the chiefton position. WHAT WAS