ARE TATTOOS MODERNISED TRIBAL MARKS?

As old cultural practices gradually fade,
contemporary lifestyle is rapidly taking over
and this is the thrust of the topic.

The lifestyle today has exposed youths to
Western culture which is sometimes at odds
with Nigeria’s values and beliefs. This can be
observed in our dress and food culture as well
as societal interactions.

The erosion of African values are further
complicated because the world is now a
global village. Many sociologists have stressed
that no one is shielded from this global
influences.

A veritable example of how modernity is
ebbing Nigerian traditions can be duly seen in
the perception and acceptance of tribal marks
and Tattoo.
In the past tribal marks was an integral part
of Nigerian culture. It was common to see
persons with distinct patterns or marks on
their faces. These tribal marks are not mere
art forms but means of tribal identification.
According to cultural enthusiasts, the marks
usually made on the face and arms were used
to identify an individual’s personality, family
or tribe with questioning them.
For example, persons from Oyo state, South-
West Nigeria carried 4 horizontal lines drawn
with a sharp object on each cheek. The same
goes for other tribal groups in Nigeria.
The trend of tribal mark may be disappearing
among the younger generation who think it is
an ancient tradition but it’s important to note
that it has played a significant role in African
culture for centuries and may be around for
even much longer.

TATTOOS

Young men and women, celebrities, and On
screen personalities, to mention but a few, are
drawn to wearing a tattoo. Tattoo as an art
comes in different patterns and they are quite
fashionable. In spite of this, some people
consider individuals who wear body arts
irresponsible.
The embrace of tattoo as a trend is common
among the youths shouldn’t be surprising
because tattoos are clearly portrayed in
American movies and western pop culture
music videos.
No matter the side of the divide you belong,
making a fashion statement is pertinent. But,
what kind of fashion statement are you
making?
Tribal Marks and Tattoos are running
parallel. Both show the generational gap
between the aged and the young. Bridging
this gap seems impossible as modernity
continue to rage like wildfire consuming
almost all Nigerian traditional and cultural
practices that were once held dear to our
hearts.