ABSTRACT
Scarification through cutting or cicatrization has been widespread in sub-Saharan Africa for many centuries, and the modern tradition no doubts draws its inspiration from that part of the world. Scarification can be found among cultures such as the Tiv of Nigeria, the Mende of Sierra Leone, the Baule of the Ivory Coast, and the southeast Nuba of Sudan. Some hypothesize that the reason cutting and cicatrization have been the principal mode of altering the body in these areas is the dark pigmentation of the skin. Tattooing does not show up well on deeply pigmented skin, while cicatrization creates a three-dimensional, tactile effect.
