Face marks as expression of cultural identity
Tigrai Online Dec. 12, 2012
A Tigraian lady with traditional face scar markings on her temple called [Girnab]
As many people around the globe Tigrai people have long used face scarification for the expression of cultural identity. When a baby is about two to six year old a traditional doctor will cut two very small incisions on the temple of the kid. Sometimes these cuts can be on the eye brows and if they are done properly the scars will be very thin and hardly noticeable. Usually the scars would be less than one eighth an inch wide and about quarter an inch tall. If the cuts are done by the parent or unskilled person they can leave bigger scars.
In Ethiopia only the Tigrai people do mark their faces with these small straight line incisions side by side on their face. In the past 90 years since the Tigraians lost power to the Amhara people of central Ethiopia, their tradition, language and cultural practices have been attacked and ridiculed. The facial scars of the people of Tigrai have been source of insult and discrimination by the Amhara who tried to destroy the Tigrai identity. Despite the humiliation the practice still continues today in Tigrai, in fact most young people are finding their own cultural identity and embracing it with pride.
The face markings are also believed to help with eye problems in Tigrai culture. These face marks are very common in Notheren Sudan and Egypt. Many people in the world including Africa also use a different form of face marking.
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
More Articles
PM Hailemariam Desalegne readies for the 2nd half
Ethiopian highlanders have different gene that allow them to live in thin air
Helen Getachew to represent Ethiopia at the Miss Universe competition
China and the African water wars between Ethiopia and Egypt
Ethiopian highlanders have different gene that allow them to live in thin air
Eritrea: Colonized Mind, False Sense of Self and Delusion
Ethiopian Wins International Diamond Prize for Excellence
An open Letter To Mr. Rene Lefort, Horn of Africa Political Analyst
Prime Minister Hailamariam Desalegne Interview with Ethiopian TV
SouthWest Energy Ltd., an Ethiopian oil and gas exploration company to raise $100 million
Prime Minister Hailamariam Desalegne Interview with Ethiopian TV
SouthWest Energy Ltd., an Ethiopian oil and gas exploration company to raise $100 million
When Egypt Gets a cold, Eritrea gets pneumonia
The entire Eritrean national football team defects again
A new dawn for science in Ethiopia on sustainable green economy
Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank of the United States finances four Ethiopian Dream liners
We neither piggy back others and nor we desire to be piggy backed
Calin Rovinescu elected as new chairman of the Star Alliance chief executive board
Ethiopian Extremists and President Isaias Afeworki: A Love Story
Ethiopian Extremists and President Isaias Afeworki: A Love Story
Worldwide demonstration by Eritreans in Switzerland
Some Ethiopians in exile and their politics of resentment
Analysis: Eskinder Nega and the Ethiopian Media Landscape
BEN TV confers the Order of Kilimanjaro Award on the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi
Return to Ethiopia 2012 a tribute to Fisseha Haileselassie 1957-2012
Ethiopian court rejected convicted terrorist and promoter of Genocide Eskinder Nega’s appeal
Tewolde Gabremariam of Ethiopian Airlines CEO won ceo of the year award
Global Solidarity Network of Tigraians for Development
How Ethiopia Lost Control of Its Teff Genetic Resources
Lidetu Ayalew: Master of Realpolitik
Ethiopian Unveils Iaugurated New Business Class Lounge in its Addis Ababa Hub airport
Ethiopian Extremists working hard to block Dr. Rice’s nomination to succeed Hillary Clinton
Ethiopian Graduates 255 Maintenance, Marketing and Cabin Crew Trainees
Comrade Kassa Kebede: put up or shut up
Messebo Cement Factory’s Special Cement in use in mega projects
USCIRF’s incoherent statement on ‘Muslim protests’ in Ethiopia
Ethiopia's Grand Renaissance Dam will be completed on time
Ethiopia elected to be member of the United Nations Human Rights Council
Ethiopia woman was a victim of sex slavery in Saudi Arabia
Birhanu Nega and Gelebawoch's barking wont stop us.
Ethiopia, Egypt, Sudan agree to resume Eastern Nile Basin cooperation
Climate change threat to Arabica coffee crops
The Viability of a Democratic Developmental State for Africa In an Era of Economic Globalization
Ethiopia and Qatar resume deplomatic ties
Ethiopian New Toronto Route to Enjoy the B787 Dreamliner Services
Eskinder Nega: Defender of Jewish Genocide
Automated Classrooms Alleviate Instructor Shortage at Mekelle University, Tigrai
Global Solidarity Network of Tigraians for Development:
Physical History of Axum and Yeha Video
Kenya says Eritrea must support peace before joining IGAD
Habiba Mohammed, wife of Junedin Sado charged with terrorism
Ethiopia and Eritrea are still at each others’ throats
Should Ethiopia worry about Egyptian and Sudanese military movements?
The Little Heaven in Seoul, South Korea