Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo told listeners of the Curiosity podcast that, in historic times, Yoruba men who lacked traditional tribal marks were regarded as poor because the marks were a costly status symbol.
Obasanjo explained that tribal marks were originally used as a means of identification, especially during the era of the trans‑Atlantic slave trade. The markings allowed members of a community to recognise one another even after being separated from their homes.
“Tribal marks in those old days were used so that people, even when they were sold into slavery, could identify their own people. That is the purpose of tribal mark.”
“If you are a Yoruba man and you don’t have tribal mark, you must be very poor, because you no get money to make mark.”
The Yoruba are one of Nigeria’s largest ethnic groups, traditionally inhabiting the southwestern part of the country. Across West Africa, facial or body scarifications once served social, religious and security functions, but the practice has declined sharply in recent decades.
Obasanjo’s remarks were made in a recent interview and did not reference any current policy proposals; they simply reflected his recollection of how tribal marks were perceived in the past.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
