SUMMARY
Tribal markings have been used to serve several purposes prior to this time. It served as a means of identification among its practitioners as ones tribe, town, family, regional, social and cultural status can be identified through the information disseminated on the body through these markings. Tribal marks served as a means of identification during the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade, Nigerian Civil War, the Ijaw-Itsekiri tribal conflict, the Chieftaincy Disputes in Ghana, etc. Despite its importance as a means of identification, many now prefer to carry their identity cards on their pockets not on their faces. As a means of identification, it also has it’s negative effect as it has sought out marked individuals for danger in various conflicts.
It has also served as a means of beautification, which is mostly practiced by the women to enhance beauty. These marks consists of intricate patterns, shapes and designs which are pleasing to the eyes unlike the other forms of scarification. Today, Tribal marks as a means of beautification is regarded as a form of disfiguration, an alteration of natural beauty. This view is also attributed to the change societal beauty standards over the years. The practice is considered an outdated ritual and the new generation prefer other forms of body art which are in vogue for the purpose of beautification such as tattoos, piercings, plastic surgery etc.
