Scarification

Scarification is a permanent body modification that uses scar tissue produced by the body to form designs, pictures, or words in the skin. Scars are most often formed by cutting or branding the skin. Scarification is sometimes called cicatrization (from the French equivalent).

History

Scarification has been used for many reasons in many different cultures:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Scarification has been used as a rite of passage, be it adolescence, or to mark of the emotional states of the wearer of the scars (such as times of sorrow or well-being).
• Scarification by deliberately burning skin is called branding (see that article) and has historically been used to mark slaves and criminals, usually with the brand being visible and often letter-coded reflecting the crime.
• The Maori of New Zealand used a form of ink rubbing scarification to produce facial tattoos (called "mokos") which were considered to make the Maori's bodies complete, and their bodies were considered to be naked without tattoos. Tattoos were unique to each person, and facial tattoos served as a sort of signature -- some of the Maori chiefs even used the pattern of their facial tattoos as their signatures on land treaties with the Europeans.
• In some cultures, the willingness of a woman to receive scarifications shows her maturity and willingness to bear children.
• Scarification is also associated with the body modification movement.
• It is fairly common in West Africa and New Guinea
• facial scarring was a popular practice among the Huns.
• Facial scarring from academic fencing was regarded as a badge of honour among the 19th century European duelling fraternities.