Scarification Collection (#2)

Dinka Man - Sudan, Africa
A fine portrait photograph of a man of the Dinka Tribe, Sudan, showing ritual scarification on the chest, headdress, neck beads and wound torc

Burkina Faso (Upper Volta) Toucouleurs (Fula) Woman
A Fula (Toucouleurs) Woman from Bukina Faso (Upper Volta), a landlocked country in West Africa. Date: circa 1920s

Egyptian woman with scarification, circa 1890, Egypt. Date: circa 1890

Children from Sierra Leone
Two young children from Sierra Leone, West Africa Date: circa 1910s

Bamum Woman - Cameroon - Extensive back scarification
A Bamum Woman and child from Cameroon, Central Africa, showing dramatic and extensive back scarification in regular patterns. Date: circa early 1930s

Picture No. 10780616
Ethiopia - scarification ritual among Surma: tribe of southwest Ethiopia. Skin that is cut with a razor then pulled. Date:

Two Nubian men - Egypt
A very fine photographic postcard depicting two Nubian men - Egypt

Gabon - Africa - Woman with Scarification
A Woman from Sibiti, Gabon - part of the Bakota (or Kota) - a Bantu ethnic group from the northeastern region of the country

Ivory Coast - Scarification
Scarification on a womans belly in the form of a large spider. The woman is from the Bobo Tribe in Ivory Coast

Tribesman of the Jarawa Tribe
Facial Scarification evident on a tribesman from the Jarawa Tribe. The Jarawa are one of the adivasi indigenous peoples of the Andaman Islands. There are only 250-350 members of this tribe alive today

Kenya, Laikipia, Ol Malo

A Karo man with braided hair plays a traditional stringed instrument beside the Omo River near Duss. Young men settle disputes by fighting with hippo hide whips

Chad - Goulfa Woman from the Lake Chad region. Date: circa 1930s

Extinct Palawa or Palervar aborigines, Tasmania, Australia.. Handcolored lithograph from Friedrich Wilhelm Goedsches Complete Gallery of Peoples in True Pictures, Meissen, circa 1835-1840

Aborigines with bodypainting, Borogegal man of Port Jackson.. Handcolored lithograph from Friedrich Wilhelm Goedsches Complete Gallery of Peoples in True Pictures, Meissen, circa 1835-1840

Australian aborigine warrior with body scarification.. Handcolored lithograph from Friedrich Wilhelm Goedsches Complete Gallery of Peoples in True Pictures, Meissen, circa 1835-1840

Illustration of African womans head showing scarring

Indian Markings, engraved by Theodor de Bry (1528-1598) (engraving)
BAL110128 Indian Markings, engraved by Theodor de Bry (1528-1598) (engraving) by White, John (fl.1570-93) (after); Private Collection; English, out of copyright

Senegalese Sharpshooter - WWI era. Date: circa 1916

Cupping set, 19th century C017 / 3575
Cupping set comprising of four cups and two brass and steel scarificators. These are contained within a morocco leather case which bares the word Cookie, in gold letters on the inner lining

Cupping set, 19th century C017 / 3589
Cupping set dating from around the year 1850, England. This set comprises of a twelve bladed steel and brass scarificator with two cups, a syringe, and a spirit burner

Mechanical scarificators, 19th century C017 / 3564
Two cased single-bladed mechanical scarificators made from brass and steel. Instruments such as these were designed to create wounds on the surface of the skin

Cupping set, 19th century C017 / 3590
Cupping set dating from around the year 1860, England. This set comprises of four cups and two brass and steel scarificators, complete with a morocco leather case

Mechanical scarificators, circa 1780-1900 C017 / 3562
A collection of single and multibladed mechanical scarificators. These include examples from England, France and Germany and they date from between 1780 and 1900

Six blade scarificator, 20th century C017 / 3571
Six blade scarificator, made in France around the year 1900. This instrument is made from steel and was designed to create wounds on the surface of the skin, principally for wet cupping procedures

Weisss Scarificator, circa 1820
Weisss New Invented Scarificator made from brass and steel. Scarificators such as this one were used to create wounds on the surface of the skin, principally for wet cupping procedures

Scarificators and blades, circa 1800 C017 / 3559
Three multi-bladed scarificators, with spare blades. Scarificators such as these were used to create wounds on the surface of the skin, principally for wet cupping procedures

Cupping set, 19th century C017 / 3567
Cupping set dating from 1850, England. The set includes a brass syringe, scarificator and glass cups. This set would have been used in a procedure called wet cupping

Scarificator, circa 1800 C017 / 3585
Single bladed steel and brass spring scarificator, made in Germany around the year 1800. Scarificators such as these were used to create wounds on the surface of the skin

Single blade scarificator, 18th century C017 / 3574
Single-bladed spring scarificator, made from steel. This instrument was designed to create wounds on the surface of the skin, principally for wet cupping procedures

Sixteen blade scarificator, circa 1800 C017 / 3556
This nineteenth century surgical instrument comprises of sixteen spring-loaded lancets and was used to create wounds on the surface of the skin, principally for wet cupping procedures

TILLING MACHINE, 1864. Brabys machine for breaking up roads and scarifying or tilling lands. Wood engraving, 1864

A Dinka Man - Sudan, Upper Nile Date: circa 1910s

Sudanese soldier with remarkable hat
Sudanese soldier - with scarification on his cheeks and wearing a quite extraordinary hat. Date: 1910s

Senegalese Man
Fine photograph of a young Senegalese Man from the Makaigne tribe, displaying fine scarification across his whole upper torso, wearing a woven hat and carrying what appears to be a sling

1827 Schinz Amazon Matis Indian colour
Early Lithographic print by Brodtmann, from Dr. Shinz, " Naturgeschichte und Abbilldungen der Saugethiere" 1827/1840, with hand colouring

Africa, West Africa, Benin, Ouidah, Temple of the Pythons. Wall mural of man with facial scarification at temple of the pythons in Ouidah, Benin

Sudanese woman with decorative cuts
Sudanese woman with traditional decorative cuts on her face, braided hair (with buttons and beads) and long beaded necklace

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"Unveiling the Art of Scarification: A Journey Through Cultural Traditions" Step into the world of scarification, where ancient rituals and cultural expressions leave indelible marks on the body. From Madimba in Congo to Tasmania's Van Diemen's Land, these captivating practices tell stories of identity, strength, and resilience. In the heartland of Congo, a pipe-smoking lady named Madimba proudly displays her intricate scar patterns. Each mark represents a rite of passage or tribal affiliation, echoing centuries-old traditions that bind communities together. Across vast oceans lies Van Diemen's Land - once home to Tasmanian natives who faced extermination by colonists. Grou Aagara stands tall with scarification adorning his chest and an animal-skin cape draped over his shoulders. His scars speak volumes about survival amidst adversity while Arra-Maida carries her child in a kangaroo papoose - a testament to motherhood intertwined with ancestral heritage. Venturing further east brings us face-to-face with East African tribesmen boasting extensive scar patterns etched across their bodies. Their nose chains symbolize status and lineage within their community, showcasing both beauty and bravery in equal measure. Journeying back to Congo reveals a terrifying warrior adorned with bullet piercings - an intimidating sight that strikes fear into enemies' hearts. Ornamental scars grace his face alongside sharpened teeth; each detail contributing to his fearsome presence as he protects his tribe from harm. Traveling down under unveils Lubra, an Australian aborigine woman from 1850 whose facial scars narrate tales of tradition passed down through generations. Her story intertwines with Nigeria's Ife bronze crowned head displayed at Ife museum – its intricate scarification dating back centuries ago when artistry merged seamlessly with spirituality. Zulu Maid showcases not only traditional beadwork but also delicate yet meaningful scar patterns etched onto her skin – symbols of cultural pride and heritage.