These are women from the Nuba tribe in Southern Sudan, the scarifications are achieved by hooking the skin with a thorn and then cutting it with a small knife.
Scarification is a permanent procedure meant to decorate and beautify the body. In Africa, climate and custom permitted negligible clothing, which promoted the art of body art. The body was used as a canvas and the results became socially valuable.
Different tools produced different types of scars, some subtle, others profound, ash and certain organic saps might be added to a wound to create more prominent scarring. In Africa, scarification serves as a symbol of strength, fortitude and courage in both men and women. Scars are also used to enhance beauty and society's admiration. A woman's eagerness to tolerate pain is an indication of her emotional maturity and willingness to bear children. Often the first scars a woman may receive is those on the abdomen, emphasising the role of childbearing.
Body and facial patterns made it possible to identify one tribal group from another. Scarification of one who is holding rank or status in the community often surpass those of commoners.
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| Designer Fyodor Golan Autumn 2012 Collection |
This piece from Fyodor Golan's autumn 2012 collection showcases aspects of Nuba scarification. This tight leather top has a decorative and repetitive pattern indented into it, very reminiscent of the patterns worn by women of African tribes. The garment appears quite restrictive and is sexy but masculine, it has a tough quality to it. When wearing this piece, you may feel like a tough african warrior.
The pattern on this piece is also reminiscent of the scarification of the men in the Sepik River tribe. The scarification is done when they believe that they are ready for manhood, elders cut into the skin using a sharp blade all over the body in a pattern that imitates the skin of an crocodile. They believe that the crocodile will consume any remains of the boy left inside, and they will then become men.
The Kayan women of Nothern Thailand are known for the incredible brass coils they wear around their necks. The coils are made up of one singular brass coil wrapped round the neck, each time a new layer is added, the brass coil is extended. The Kayan women believe in the myth that if the coil is removed, the neck would snap, the muscles weakened and no longer able to support the head.
Children are often given their first set of coil at the age of five, and it weighs around 4 1/2 pounds, then as they grow, more rings are added. The Kayan women do not have their necks elongated, instead, it works in the opposite direction. As the wight coils press down, the clavicle is lowered and as new rings are added, the rib cage is slowly being compressed. Finally, the shoulders begin to slope downwards, giving the appearance of an elongated neck.
The Kayan women believe that a long neck is beautiful and elegant, like the neck of a swan.
Here, you can see the neck being accentuated in the Christian Dior adverts for perfume J'adore. The model's neck is accessorised to mimic the design of the neck of the perfume bottle in both ads.
In the photo above, the take on the neck rings is in the format of delicate and elegant golden coils. It appears much more subtle than those that the Kayan women wear, it is non restrictive and minimal.
In this ad, you can see the of accentuation of the neck, this time is is much bolder, and looks much more restrictive. The shape of the neck piece mimics the shape of the coils that Kayan women wear, the neck piece then frays out to appear more like necklaces to give a contemporary touch and to merge with the bedazzled gown she wears.
The neck is a sexy feature on the human body, by concealing it but still emphasising it creates a sensual feel and is both elegant and beautiful.
In the amazon in south America, the Rikbaktsa tribe sports the art of ear and lip stretching by enlarging their earlobes with wooden plugs.
Many tribes and indigenous people practice in the art of ear stretching around the world, they still do today in order to preserve the traditions of their culture and stay connected to their roots. The size of the ear lobe varies because of age, status or role.
Ear stretching is also known as gauging and has gained popularity in Western societies in recent years. The process of ear stretching is a long process, it requires slowly enlarging a healed piercing using progressively larger pieces of jewellery.
Ear stretching, compared to other forms of body modification is receiving greater visibility and acceptability in wider society as more people opt for this form of body modification. Ear stretching is often associated with alternative fashion and subcultures such as contemporary punk and emo.
Above is an example of how ear stretching is interpreted in western society, you can see that she also has her labret stretched as well as her ears, the lip piercings on her face and makeup appears in the style of punk. The size of her ear lobes are perceived as big according to our culture in modern society, however in the eyes of indigenous people, it may seem inadequate and insignificant.
Photo References
Nuba Woman: Available from: http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/31/3a/7a/313a7a74a574116e1f7af3b96982ad57 [9th Oct 2014]
Fyodor Golan: Available from: http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/1e/8d/6f/1e8d6f993856897d47e830cedb98e420 [10th Oct 2014]
Crocodile Man: Available From: http://www.bestofpng.com/media/croc%20man%20and%20haus%20tambaran [10th Oct 2014]
Kayan Women: Available from: http://www.remotelands.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Kayan_group [10th Oct 2014]
J'adore Dior ad: Available from: http://i0.wp.com/pursuitist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/j_adore_perfume_for_women_by_christian_dior.jpg?resize=1024%2C768 [10th Oct 2014]
J'adore Dior ad II: Available from: http://www.parfumdepub.com/img/grand/j-adore-l-or-dior-2014-1139 [10th Oct 2014]
Rikbaktsa Chief: Available from: http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/00/df/33/00df3312bee67fcd4802ba08c34fbbd8 [11th Oct 2014]
Modern ear stretching: Available from: http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/93/ac/67/93ac67c7163124c1287394950dbac6a9 [11th Oct 2014]
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