Tribe: Fulani

So far I have researched a few tribes from a variety of different areas, that all base the way they look on a specific need - the need to be fearsome, the need to deter the opposite sex, and the need to represent and commemorate the dead. However I haven't yet found a tribe that practice tribal markings purely for beauty purposes. I decided to look for a tribe who practised markings, paintings and tattooing predominantly on their female members, and for reasons based on beauty and sexuality. 

I came across the Fulani tribe, who are an ethnic group of people, predominantly based in West Africa, but who have spread as far as Central Africa and Sudanese North Africa. It is unclear to historians as to where the Fulani people originated from, but they are thought to be most likely of North African or Arabic origin, due to their long, straight noses, straight hair and lighter skin tone. The Fulani are nomadic, pastoral tradespeople, who keep themselves separate from the local agricultural farmers from the areas surrounding them. 

Fulani people are recognisable by their brightly coloured flowing robes, which are often layered, and modestly embroidered and decorated. Due to their Islamic beliefs, headdresses are usually worn by women, although long dark hair can often be seen flowing from underneath, adorned with braids, beads and jewellery. The most unique thing about the Fula, especially the women of the tribe, is the tribal markings on their face. When a young Fulani woman comes of age and becomes eligible for marriage, she will partake in a single sitting, where a tattooist will prick her face hundreds of times with a sharp razor-like tool. As they begin to bleed, heavy ink is mixed into the wounds, which stain the skin as it heals. These dots, along with highlighting the woman's beauty, are said to provide heightened spiritual ability and prowess. At the beginning of their marriages, some tribeswomen also choose to have eyes tattooed on their temples, so that they can watch their husbands even when they are not physically with them; Hair picks are tattooed onto the cheeks to represent beauty, and an 'X' is marked between the eyes to symbolise the bond between husband and wife. Lastly, cow tracks are marked across the cheeks to symbolise prosperity, and the migrant ways of the Fulani people. 

What I like most about the markings of the Fulani women is that they are simple and graphic, but still manage to be decorative. The tribespeople do not rely on busy, heavy, or overly decorative designs to highlight their beauty, and I think that their simple markings are much more effective in achieving that. Unlike many traditions of tribal marking or tattooing that have died out over time, the Fulani people still practice theirs to this day, which is one particular reason why they interest me. Similarly interesting, is the fact that the Fulani are one of the only African tribes that put a huge emphasis on beauty. This makes them especially inspiring to me for this module. (Photos to follow!)