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How did scarification communicate lineage or life stage in some African societies?

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raffia-fiber cloth — African art Raffia-fiber cloth, made by the Kuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, mid-20th century; in the Honolulu Academy of Arts.

In many African societies, scarification—the practice of creating raised scars through incision or burning—serves as a permanent visual language to communicate social identity and personal development.12

Lineage and Status

Scarification is frequently used to denote an individual's heritage and social standing. For example, among the Yoruba of Nigeria, specific scarification patterns are used to indicate lineage affiliation. More broadly, these markings have been practiced across various groups to signify status or membership within a particular lineage.21

Life Stages

Beyond lineage, scarification acts as a marker of physiological and social maturation. Among Nuba women in Sudan, patterns are applied to signify specific life stages, such as the onset of menstruation or the birth of a first child. These bodily alterations function as essential symbols within rites of passage, where the body becomes "inscribed" with meaning to communicate an individual's transition into a new social status or domain.23