Re: Fulani henna traditions?

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Posted by jolynn on October 8, 2001 at 05:07:02:

In reply to: Fulani henna traditions? posted by Nick on October 8, 2001 at 02:00:42:

As best as I can remember from my undergrad years the Fulbe(Fulani) in
Cameroon had tattoos done they way Catherine described. I don't
remember any mention of henna, just charcoal. Maybe they used henna
many years ago and as they moved around changed to tattooing because
it is more permanent or henna was not as readily available. But the
name was kept. Because she talked about the ages when it is done it
may be a rite of passage.
Not to make you wince too much, but in the village the my professor
did her doctoral work the tattooing was done by making a small cut and
rubbing in the charcoal. Not quite as nasty as another People that
practiced ritual scarification by making hundreds of small cuts and
rubbing dung in them-thus causing infection to make sure the scar is
raised.

Me, I'll stick to henna

jolynn
: I watched a great documentary (one of a series) simply
: titled "Africa" on PBS tonight, and something interesting came up.
: Fulani girls have a big solid oval tattooed over their lips, with a
: line down the chin and a dot on either sode of the line.
: When explaining her tattoos, one girl (Aissa) said "Around 10 years
: old, we henna the bottom lip, and at about 15 we henna the top lip
: and the chin."
: So did henna get picked up funny in the translation, or is there a
: deeper bond? I don't think the tattoos could be henna, because as
far
: as i know they are indeed permanent and they are also black.
: Anybody know anything about Fulani adornment?
: ~Nick

Follow Ups

Yoruba scarification work parallel to henna Catherine Cartwright Jones 13:23:56 10/8/2001 (1)
- Thank you, I couldn't remember who it was without digging out my old books! n/t jolynn 05:04:43 10/9/2001 (0)
Re: Fulani henna traditions? Graeme 09:02:11 10/8/2001 (1)
- Re: Fulani henna traditions? Catherine Cartwright Jones 21:41:21 10/8/2001 (0)

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: As best as I can remember from my undergrad years the Fulbe(Fulani) in : Cameroon had tattoos done they way Catherine described. I don't : remember any mention of henna, just charcoal. Maybe they used henna : many years ago and as they moved around changed to tattooing because : it is more permanent or henna was not as readily available. But the : name was kept. Because she talked about the ages when it is done it : may be a rite of passage. : Not to make you wince too much, but in the village the my professor : did her doctoral work the tattooing was done by making a small cut and : rubbing in the charcoal. Not quite as nasty as another People that : practiced ritual scarification by making hundreds of small cuts and : rubbing dung in them-thus causing infection to make sure the scar is : raised. : : Me, I'll stick to henna : : jolynn : : I watched a great documentary (one of a series) simply : : titled "Africa" on PBS tonight, and something interesting came up. : : Fulani girls have a big solid oval tattooed over their lips, with a : : line down the chin and a dot on either sode of the line. : : When explaining her tattoos, one girl (Aissa) said "Around 10 years : : old, we henna the bottom lip, and at about 15 we henna the top lip : : and the chin." : : So did henna get picked up funny in the translation, or is there a : : deeper bond? I don't think the tattoos could be henna, because as : far : : as i know they are indeed permanent and they are also black. : : Anybody know anything about Fulani adornment? : : ~Nick
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