Scarification in Africa Photo

Photographer’s Note

Scarification is a means of permanently marking the skin by cutting alone, without the use of pigments. The scars may be lighter or darker than your original skin tone and may raise up (keloid scarring). There are many ways to produce a scar but the cut must always penetrate the dermis if a scar is to be produced. The result depends as much on your skin as the method used. Black skin in particular is very good at producing pronounced keloid scars and this is a popular alternative to tattooing for people with very dark skin, for whom a tattoo might not show up very well.

In many parts of Africa these scars are marks of beauty and a way to identify someone belonging to a particular group. Scarification also may mark one’s status as a civilized being, adult, or member of a specific ethnic group or initiation association.

I spend a day in his school in a remote village of Benin to work on the Art in All of Us activities (www.artinallofus.org). I had really a great time thanks to the kids creativity. Please see some of their works on the link http://www.artinallofus.org/countries/africa/benin/benindrawing1.htm I hope you enjoy !!

All proceeds from sales of pictures will go to the art education project of Art in All of Us (WWW.ARTINALLOFUS.ORG) and/or trusted partner in third world countries

anthonyasael.deviantart.com

cobraphil8, gelor, Brendon, Ulishna, nakajerine, xuaxo, oanna, cirkus_jordan, dtsarpalis, Prop, crckt, Jason_teale, J304, matt_harris_42, ViktorVaughn, yogi32, modzi, ilvao, unche, gonzalezcheryl, ThomasL, peterd, marine-coeur, loic-jaouen has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

cobraphil8 (11656) 2006-09-02 3:52 [Comment]

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gelor (3224) 2006-09-02 4:02

Bonjour Anthony,
Incroyable mais vrai... Merci de cette publication instructive.
Gérard

Brendon (285) 2006-09-02 4:14

Hello Anthony
Wow, Nice tight crop of the face and scars. I have several cuts/scars from youthful exuberance and I must admit they were painful to receive. In contrast, I can hardly imagine the type of pain that must be endured for such facial scars.
Your choice of B/W was a wise choice for this caption as well, I can imagine that it accentuates the scarring over a colour shot.
Great note that you have included as well. Very interesting.
Brendon

priyasri_80 (363) 2006-09-02 5:11

Great information. Nice shot. Well captured.
Priya

Ulishna (2258) 2006-09-02 6:02

Hello Anthony,
Impressive and dramatic portrait. And BW is very good for this.
Julia

nakajerine (70) 2006-09-02 6:07

It looks painful on the kid. Why can't they use fashion as a way to identify their group instead of making a permanent scaring? Poor innocent boy has to bear the pain of this ritual

xuaxo (6083) 2006-10-06 14:08

Real impressive story - photo and note. I didn't know about this.
F

silycat (607) 2007-01-09 22:13

Hi!
This photo has been chosen by me to represent country in which it was taken in thema "Around the world", it is a very good and sucesful capture and excellent photo!

cirkus_jordan (57) 2007-05-26 16:25

First off thanks for the background info. :)
I think using black and white worked very well with photo. the focus you captured in his eyes makes him seem so real. continue to produce more work like this!
best wishes,
jordan

dtsarpalis (400) 2007-05-26 23:50

It is like life first you see and get attracted by the looks (photo) but then you fall in love with the spirit (comment)
Both excellent.
Keep up the good work

TFS
Dimitris

Julian_K (1055) 2007-05-27 0:18

Hello Anthony,
An excellent portrait with an excellent message. It is a very provocative and powerful photo which you have presented brilliantly. Thanks for sharing,
Jules

crckt (7116) 2007-06-24 18:32

Hi Anthony,
I have no words to describe this picture! This picture touches ones heart. Sometimes a picture can be so powerful, that words are not needed. Thanks for sharing this with us. I am also touched to hear about work in Africa.
Regards
Shaeri

Jason_teale (703) 2007-06-26 17:25

only 18 points for such a powerful photo and a worthy cause... I am amazed. This photo is unbelievable and so moving. Thank you for sharing such great photography and I hope many more people take the time to read your note and give this photo the attention that it deserves.

ViktorVaughn (1519) 2007-07-12 16:41

Very powerful image with an intense stare from this boy. I like your cropping and your choice of B&W to make the scars stand out more.

Strong photograph, TFS

blow (672) 2007-07-25 11:18