Making inscriptions on body parts is not limited to the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria alone, as the Nupe tribe that I hail from also has it in practice. I have a cousin sister who spent the better part of her growing up stage in our house, and right in front of her ears was the leaf-shaped inscription carefully designed on her skin bilaterally. She looked more beautiful with it, and even recently, when I met a friend who knew her, she used the inscription to describe her, which affirmed the authenticity of her knowledge about my cousin sister.
It is not uncommon to find tattoos inscribed on the younger generation in Nigeria, most especially the female gender. A very common practice among the Hausas of Northern Nigeria is the writing of inscriptions on women about to get married. These inscriptions, popularly called 'Lali', are beautifully designed by specialists on the bride’s feet and hands. These inscriptions add more beauty to the bride, as designs such as flowers can be drawn on the individual. Lali inscriptions are often temporary and can be washed off after the event necessitating their inscription.
Tattoos are often designed by mature individuals. These tattoos can bear pictures of celebrities or of people who are held in high esteem. Tattoos can also be as simple as word inscriptions.
African culture has the tradition of marking inscriptions on the children of a specific household as a symbol of recognition. Having some peculiar tattoos inscribed on an individual can tell the lineage of such an individual, just like that of my cousin aforementioned. Seeing people with particular tattoos may point me in the direction of what part of the country such an individual is from.
Here in Nigeria, tattoos are often misconceived to give a bad image to the bearer. Young ladies are particularly known to inscribe tattoos on sensitive and provocative parts of their bodies, such as their breasts or thighs. Common in this regard are commercial sex workers. The average African parent frowns at inscriptions or tattoos by their children or even friends of their children.
Body arts drawn through cursive writing are done by specialists using sterilized instruments. Unfortunately, patronizing unskilled people who may wrongly inscribe a design or even use unsterilized equipment can deface the skin.
Keloids and hypertrophic Scars are possible complications that may arise when unsterilized equipment is used or when the individual has sensitive skin. These complications are often ugly and could deface the individual, sometimes requiring the intervention of plastic or cosmetic surgeons when drug treatments fail.
Body inscriptions like Lali can be aesthetically appealing. I do not have a tattoo, but I would not mind my future daughters having the Lali inscribed on their feet and hands when they are off to marry.
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HAPPY WORLD TATTOO DAY!
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One of the beauty of tattooing through the years, especially in the Yoruba culture is for recognition, and it has played a huge role through time including the case of the lady and her baby you just naratted.
You're right, tribal marks for example were held in high esteem. Thank you
I am very pleased to receive today publications of people from the African continent, specifically Nigeria, I have learned a lot about tattoos through their experience in the part of the world where I was born Venezuela, is not allowed to tattoo a child to think it is crazy, but seeing how important it is for African culture generates me empathy.
I would like to get a henna tattoo, since I suffer from keloids but this type of tattoo is not practiced here.
Thanks for participating, it was a pleasure to read your post @jjmusa2004
It's my pleasure and yes, you should explore henna someday
I am particularly struck by the Lali inscriptions, which by the way, I didn't know they were called that way over there.
I appreciate that you know how to respect the fact that even though you don't have a tattoo, you let your daughters decide if they want to get one for their marriage.
Thank you for your participation in the initiative for the first anniversary of our community.
I'm honoured, thank you
I am so glad to learn about the significance of tattoos on other regions!
Thank you very much. I'm glad