
The story
This commission has given me the opportunity to look into how and why facial markings are given to children at birth. However, less so in today’s Nigeria as it is seen as facial mutilation, archaic, fetish and unhygienic.
There is an array of styles carried out by different ethnic groups in Nigeria. The solar disc-like incisions and lines which are drawn all over my body, are very common for the Igbo tribe.
The scaring is done by burning or cutting of the skin and serve different purposes; from identification, healing, spiritual protection and beautification.