Friday, July 17, 2009

Traditional Scarification

For a long time now I have noticed very uniform scarring on the cheeks of some women in Rwanda. The scars are upside down teardrop in shape and are about an inch long. They are about an inch below they eyes on each cheekbone. Normally there are about three or four but sometimes more. I have still yet to learn about the exact origin of these but I know that there is a special metal tool that they use by heating it up over a fire and scarring the person. It can be done at any age and is done for “beauty”. I will post more in depth information when I find out. These shouldn’t be confused with the scars that can be seen on some people that were done for medicinal purposes.

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