#IDWGS Essay: SCARS OF PAIN OR HERITAGE?

SCARS OF PAIN OR HERITAGE?

AUTHOR: SHIRLEY SARAH DADSON

SCHOOL: UNIVERSITY OF GHANA MEDICAL SCHOOL

EMAIL:DADSONSHIRLEYSARAH@GMAIL.COM

THE OPENER

Should we reject a 23-year-old who is passionate about being an air hostess because she has 12 tribal marks on her face?

Should we deny a young lady from the Surma tribe in Ethiopia her passion for being a newscaster because of her stretched lower lip?

Even in the 21st century, people still mock others who have facial scars. Scars they got from infancy without their consent.

Research in Nigeria, specifically regarding the Yoruba community, shows a strong correlation between tribal marks and lower employment opportunities (1). A 2023 study from Sage Journals titled "Employment Discrimination against Indigenous People with Tribal Marks in Nigeria" found that participants with tribal marks experienced:

Social rejection and stigmatization: This included overt discrimination during job interviews and hiring processes.
Mental health consequences: Individuals with tribal marks reported feelings of shame, low self-esteem, and even suicidal ideation due to societal stigma.
Reduced employability: The study indicated that tribal marks significantly decreased the likelihood of securing formal employment, leading many to opt for self-employment

I do not think civilization completely wiped out these ethnic practices. Instead, it has evolved into piercings, sclera tattoos, microdermals, etc.

A couple from Argentina currently holds the Guinness World record for the most body modifications, about 98 in total.

They have their sclera tattooed, 50 piercings, 8 microdermals, 4 ear expanders, 2 ear bolts, and 1 forked tongue.

THE BODY

The Cambridge Dictionary says a society's heritage includes its traditions, languages, and buildings. These are features of the culture made in the past and still have historical importance (3).

Body modification is any purposeful, permanent alteration to change the body's appearance. In Western countries, body modifications are personal choices as opposed to other cultures where it is a requirement imposed by society.

In Africa, body modifications can symbolize age, social status, beliefs, and religion. Some tribes use body modification to symbolize diplomacy,riches, creativity, and wisdom (4).

Below are cultural modifications some African tribal groups perform on their bodies (4).

SCARIFICATION: There are aesthetic, religious, and social reasons for scarification. It is also used to send complex messages about identity. Tattoos, scars, brands, and piercings are ways of showing a person's autobiography on the body's surface to the world (4).

BODY MODIFICATION/LIP PLATE: The Surma people are made up of three ethnic groups: The Mursi, the Suri, and the Mekan people. Their women's beauty is determined by how large their lip plate is (5 )

As of now, it is still normal for women to wear large pottery or wooden discs, called 'plates', on their lower lips. The lip-plate, also called "dhebi a tugoin," has become the main visible characteristic of the Mursi (4).

THE CALL TO ACTION

The central message of this opinion piece is a call for greater cultural acceptance of individuals with tribal marks and other body modifications. This piece is also to advocate for legal intervention so that these practices are done the right way with consent.

The legislation regarding tribal marking and ethnic body modifications varies widely around the world, reflecting the complex cultural and ethical considerations involved. Here's an overview of the situation:

Specific bans: Some countries, like Ethiopia and Liberia, have banned tribal marking for minors entirely due to concerns about informed consent and potential health risks.

Regulation, not ban: Other countries, like Ghana and Nigeria, have regulations around who can perform scarification and the methods used, aiming to minimize health risks while respecting cultural practices.

No specific legislation: Many countries, including most Western nations, have no specific laws regarding tribal marking. Practices are addressed through general laws on bodily autonomy, consent, and child protection.

Below are some action points to bring more awareness to this global health and social problem.

Promote informed consent and community education

Advocate for educational initiatives within communities practicing body modifications, emphasizing informed consent, potential risks, and alternative pathways to cultural expression.
Urge governments to develop guidelines and frameworks for ensuring consent, particularly where minors are involved.
Support community-led campaigns that raise awareness about the ethical considerations surrounding these practices.
Challenge discriminatory practices and foster cultural acceptance:
Encourage open dialogue and critical thinking about societal bias against individuals with tribal markings or other body modifications.
Advocate for legislative measures that prohibit discrimination based on body modifications in employment,housing, and other social spheres.
Promote media representation that celebrates cultural diversity and challenges narrow beauty standards.

Empower individuals and support diverse perspectives:

Advocate for access to mental health resources and social support systems for individuals struggling with the psychological impact of stigma or forced modifications.
Support initiatives that empower individuals to make informed choices about their bodies, whether to embrace or remove existing modifications.
Encourage respectful discussions and acknowledge the diverse perspectives within both practicing communities and wider society on the ethics of body modifications.

The field of plastic and cosmetic surgery: This has provided a chance for people who want to get rid of these scars.

Some people have also come to accept their fate as it gives them a statuesque aura. To them, it is an angle of cultural preservation.

CONCLUSION

Should we judge a book by its cover, or a person by their markings? The answer, like the intricate patterns etched on the skin, is not etched in stone. Perhaps the beauty lies not in finding a definitive answer, but in embracing the complexity of the question itself.

Let us, like the Mursi women who adorn their lips with plates, stretch our minds to encompass the vast spectrum of human experiences. Let us engage in dialogue and respectful exploration. Let us continue the ongoing quest to understand the stories etched not just on flesh, but on the canvas of our shared humanity.

A saying in Yoruba goes "Ibi ti a ba ri ori gbogbo ni a nwo ojo" which means 'Where we see the head of everyone, there we see the light of day'.

This proverb emphasizes the interconnectedness of humanity and the value of appreciating the diversity of individuals and their cultural expressions.

REFERENCES

Adisa, T. A., Mordi, C., & Timming, A. R. (2023). Employment Discrimination against Indigenous People with Tribal Marks in Nigeria: The Painful Face of Stigma. Work, Employment and Society, 37(6), 1009-1029. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/09500170231173591

Awogbola, L. O., & Ademuyiwa, A. S. (2023). Aesthetic labor outcome and experience of individuals with tribal marks in Nigeria. African Journal of Cultural Studies, 34(3), 127-141.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13678868.2023.2232907

https://medium.com/@raganasjenelle/beyond-the-dictionary-what-does-heritage-mean-to-me-94c389cc4ccb

hadithi.africa.https://hadithi.africa/africa-and-the-culture-of-body-modification (accessed December 30, 2023).

https://www.pixstory.com/story/beauty-is-the-size-of-a-lip-plate-ethiopia/40868#:~:text=The%20Surma%20people%20is%20made,between%204%20and%2025%20centimeters.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shirley is currently the founder of HerLevate Africa. She is also a student in the University of Ghana Medical School. She is highly organized, proactive and punctual with a team-oriented mentality. Knowledgeable in Project management and managed different projects sponsored by some external donors like the USAID, the US Embassy and the German Cooperation. She has also managed all kinds of communities; a multinational community of innovators, digital marketers, business owners, students , lawyers etc A community where members leverage on the network effect and collaboration to deliver amazing projects and overcome the challenges of the lack in resource - be that access to expertise, know-how, finance, staff and connections. She was part of 76 participants selected out of ten thousands of applications for the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) cohort 39 where she went through training on how to become a successful entrepreneur.