User:Mkoch21Fox/African scarification/Talliejoy Peer Review

Tattoos (styles and methods?) vary across regions of Africa and each tribe/people have different types of tattoos that they choose to brand themselves with, all with different meanings.(<--this sentence needs to be reworded) African tattoos are lived experiences(<--change wording here, tattoos aren't literally lived experiences. Maybe use the word "Represent"), and not just for body adornment or ornamental purposes, it is a shared experience, tying the person to their tribe or people. For many African cultures, they turn to scarification rather than tattoos for their body adornment. This process of scarification or tattooing was seen as a huge triumph of bravery and courage (was or is? It is still practiced now right?), an initiation process or a rite of passage. African tattoos are rarely representative, which makes determining their meaning and background difficult, but we know magical practices are linked directly to the functionality of the tattoo.

Body scarification is the process of skin incisions with sharp instruments to shape patterns/designs to the scar tissue of the body. Instruments can vary from razors, knives, stones, glass shards, coconut shells, wooden hooks, and/or edged thorns. Insertion of various unsterilized materials in the wounds create different effects of the scars, or keloids. Items such as crocodile dung, clay, ash, gunpowder, ink, and charcoal are rubbed into the wounds to delay the healing process and provide emphasis (maybe reword to "exaggerates the resulting scar"). Cicatrisation, a special form of scarification, can be used to make permanent blisters by applying plant juices to the wounds, which causes skin irritation. Other forms of body modification can be seen from cranial and foot binding, branding, ear shaping, female genital mutilation, male circumcision, and removal or enlargement of body parts. (<--this sentence seems a little out of place and unnecessary) Scarification processes vary on the areas of the body marked through identification, and cultural and traditional practices and rituals.

Symbolism
The usage (What do you mean by usage? Maybe change wording) and meaning of tattoos vary across African cultures (This is a repeated sentence from the first paragraph), but some common themes can be seen. Some common (Repeating common uses) uses are to heal, to protect from evil spirits, to be used as a marker of belonging, for ornamentation, and to express a personal sense of self. One thing that tattoos are commonly symbolic of is fertility. This is speculated to be a theme that goes as far back as the ancient egyptians given some archeologists’ interpretations of markings found on female mummified bodies. For those such as the Fulani or the Makonde, the markings were meant to magically make the bearer more attractive to the opposite sex. In many African cultures, the amount and complexity of tattoos would also be very intentional. In sub-saharan Africa, it is believed that the more tattoos someone had meant the increased likelihood in driving away evil spirits. In Makonde culture (provide more context, who are the Makonde people?), more tattoos were associated with someone of a more respectable lifestyle. Detailed tattoos can also be an indication of someone of high social status such as kings, chiefs, and other members of nobility. Tattoos can also be used to symbolize the character of a person. For example, Amazigh tattoos would frequently be used as a way to express a sense of self-identity. Tattoos on Egyptian men can be tied back to the god Neith, who symbolizes war and weaving. Across various African cultures, tattoos tend to be more important than not. They are considered by many cultures to go beyond western notions of what art is due to their significance in various practices, events, and individuals.

'''I think this is a very good start Maddie! I like your topics you have written on so far. I just think that some of the sentences need some rewriting to flow and more context needs to be provided in some areas. For instance, it might be helpful to write about the different styles of scarification in different areas of Africa, and give some different perspectives on it. Good job!'''

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