Scarification in Africa
Scarification is a means of permanently marking the skin by cutting alone, without the use of pigments. The scars may be lighter or darker than your original skin tone and may raise up (keloid scarring). There are many ways to produce a scar but the cut must always penetrate the dermis if a scar is to be produced. The result depends as much on your skin as the method used. Black skin in particular is very good at producing pronounced keloid scars and this is a popular alternative to tattooing for people with very dark skin, for whom a tattoo might not show up very well.
In many parts of Africa these scars are marks of beauty and a way to identify someone belonging to a particular group. Scarification also may mark one’s status as a civilized being, adult, or member of a specific ethnic group or initiation association.
I spend a day in his school in a remote village of Benin to work on the Art in All of Us activities (www.artinallofus.org). I had really a great time thanks to the kids creativity. Please see some of their works on Benin Gallery ! hope you enjoy !!
All proceeds from sales of pictures will go to the art education project of Art in All of Us (WWW.ARTINALLOFUS.ORG)
Scarification in Africa belongs to the following groups:
Street Photography and Photojournalism Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints
Paul Vanzella
Powerful image!!!!
Michael J Armijo
Superior portraiture. Excellent…very photojournalistic.
Anthony Asael
thank you for the nice comments !
Naomi Frost
Stunning. I don’t quite know what to say….. Very powerful.
Greg Francis
Wow Wow Wow , rarely lost for words but this photo did it. Stunning shot
Daniel Rarela
raw, visceral, powerful, jarring, impressive…. DAMN this is good stuff! instant fave, Anthony!!!
Devika Fernando
powerful image!
H M Bascom
Incredible image.
Michelle Shoos...
Powerful portrait well done
Lois Romer
This picture and story told me so much that I didn’t know, thanks
Geri Bragg
powerful, scary, incredible photo.
Claire McAdams
Wow, very powerful image
Judith Oppenhe...
those eyes
emapearl
i dont know what to say, its very moving.
Holly Werner
This is very powerful and a little sad too. The image is wonderful love the way you captured him. I find myself hoping he is not always that sad looking.
LinaFrancisco
He says so much in eyes…..intense….his scars…..beautiful….haven’t marked many favorites but this one makes it….
docophoto
Amazing portrait, the strength and maturity that you have captured in his look, the perfect balance of the image, excellent image.
Paul Gana
nice shot. I don’t know what to say about the practice of scarification, it don’t appeal to me any at the very least
aljen01
I can’t seem to stop looking at his eyes, this is a great image.
Lys •
fantastic emotion
PNFdeb
Powerful!
Miss Tash
this is sureal. honestly anthony your portfolio is probably the most impressive ive found on here- i really want to know more about your Art in All of Us program
KellyThomas
i love this portrait, and thanks for the explanation
Mary Campbell
You’ve captured the sadness in this child. It makes one want to hug him..
Alice Fisher
as the saying goes ‘a pictures worth a 1000 words’
tgsdarkroom
Wow. Little warrior.
Julie Thomas
fantastic portrait… great tones and composition… so powerful
Tanie m
Thia is like nothingi have ever seen or felt in my whole life, theres definately alot of emotion in this portrait (for me anyway)
CATNIPMEOW
Emotive and so very powerful…........excellent portrait !!!
kevsphotos2008
WOW, what a shot…..........FANTASTIC…..................
Stephen Thomas
Great portrait and very good info on Scarification.
Caroline Gorka
Strong image, and very informative wording.
cathrinedp
powerful. You capture the essence in the eyes so well.
Emoto
beautiful, thanks for sharing the story too
BettinaSchwarz
a fantastic shot – thank you also for the wonderfully balanced write-up to go with it