Tattoos in Yoruba Culture - Chief Atanda & Osunyemi

[KrystleAnuoluwa]

Mo ni fi re yoruba..xox

[mistermateriel]

I want scarification to connect with my tribal roots! d(^_^)b

[producerjayroc]

hey, if its not a problem i wanted to ask u something. Is it possible to recieve your collares/necklaces without going through full initiation and if so what are average prices for this?

[supervirtuouswoman]

If a woman never been circumcised before, can she still become part of the Yoruba tradition?

[osunyemi]

as an initatiate to Osun i don't understand how circumcision comes into the discussion.

[shilow100]

how do i get initiated

[cubanass]

@shilow100 there is a lot of things involved and a lot of money involved. But with initiations there are many secrets u must keep.

[cubanass]

@supervirtuouswoman woman dont have to get circumsized. It is only in some parts of nigeria that circumsize, but its not really practiced in most of nigeria. So u can be part of yoruba tradition even if u are not

[SuperQueenofAfrica]

@cubanass i think its a bit misleading to believe that we are all circumsized as a matter of course am not sure where this idea comes from though, and female circumcision is more practiced in the northern part of nigeria rather in in the west and most certainly not in the eastern parts as far as i know or have ever experienced or heard around me when out there.

[Maat2akh]

@supervirtuouswoman yes you can still be apart of the yoruba tradition. I am apart of the Yoruba tradition and nothing is cut on me or any other woman at my Ile.

[kimchidressagemama]

@supervirtuouswoman Sure. My husband is Yoruba and his family does not believe in female circumcision.

[soularflarez]

interesting !

[oluwalogbon58]

i like the way the americans call it "tatoos" when they are tribal marks denoting family name and where you come from in yorubaland.. other tribes dont use marks as far as i know.. the 100yrs yoruba wars was the main reason for the tribal marks... so many slaves would have been sent to america with these marks but the americans have lost all that culture.

[osunyemi]

the cutting are tribal marks or protective cuts, the tattoos are actually ink like substances which are under the surface of the skin....not cicatrization, which produces scar tissue. many of the elder women have these tattoos on their arms and legs. I am publishing a book on African tattoos and will have photos that i took in August 2008.

[mistermateriel]

@osunyemi

I wish I knew where my ethnicity came from. That's why i wish I was born in Africa somewhere... to know where I came from.

[mrabdullah71]

The Dinka use tatoos stinkgerian and U are still gonna be my bitch lol

Also nice backround pic I know that was meant for me

lol

[Spongyb]

3:42 I totally agree about the healing effect of snail "water" on cicatrices. Western medical research have just discovered this recently something our ancestors have known. Do u know quinone was detected in Africa medicine to cure fever. They took credit for some of our knowledge by giving them strange names.

[adorabledarl]

my mum is got one and their beautiful

[osunyemi]

I think most compassionate people will agree with men and women having the free will to choose. We are in a time of changing cultural consciousness. Cultures must choose not to inflict the removal of parts of womens and mens genitals. Women must do this in their own cultures. Will our culture see breast enhancement of 16 year olds and vaginal reconstruction of adult women in the same way in 100 years? Did I miss something? Did someone say they wanted to circumcise your daughters??

[AmericanDiaz]

Female circumcision is a dangerous, cruel, barbaric practice which leaves many many women scarred both emotionally and physically, some have died from wounds. I wouldn't condone it in any religion, that's where I draw the line. I don't care what anyone thinks, nobody is going to get their hands on my daughters private regions to mutilate them, or they will cease to exist.

[narayanr]

Now I see with my own eyes what Krsna's complexion was (and is).

I am Krishna's brother.

[adikiny]

Thanks. BeautifulLY explained. Indeed it is also thanks to traditional marks that people of the same blood, that is, man and woman descending from same ancestors did not MARRY each other. These days you find people marrying their cousins! Reall, one blood marrying the same blood! It is also thanks to tribal marks that many peoples were not invaded by slave-traders.

[Spongyb]

Ever before the western world know about tatoo the yorubas have them designed in their stomach, arms and legs. My mother have this designed of african comb (oya) on her arm it has like green color due to the leaves rubbed on it when done. I hope to have one just like hers but with a western touch.

[osunyemi]

I was very excited to see these tattoos when i was in Nigeria in 2006. I am publishing a book on African Tattoos but don't have any of the traditional Yoruba designs....maybe next time.

Osunyemi

[belkenende]

wisdom knowledge & health yoruba lives on Ashé

[greazer11]

As a little chid, we were told that tribal mark was used by slave owner/master that is the chiefs and kings was to identify their slaves.the chiefs later discovered that it beautified the slaves faces then they applied on their faces and children too.but i don't how true it is because it is quite different from chief atanda's statement.

[AmericanDiaz]

Probably both views are true, for truth has many variations. The practice of circumcision by the jews was said to be something they learned from their Egyptian masters who caused them to be circumcised as to identify their slave status. This way there would be no one escaping for he was "marked". I suppose tattoos and markings are also a way to show tribal identity and also to show the gods preference. I think it is of profound importance to consider whether to do such things. Must know why.

[TheEvilOyo]

in oyo empire that is how it happened, it also allowed them to assimilate people by putting the marks of the empire on peoples faces, that is why u have the corner mouth/cheek 3 slash from togo all the way to parts of the delta.

[alagbaranla]

yeah! both my granmas have tattoos, that they've had since they were girls. Its funny how this culture is resurrecting in America.

[Dblocker82]

Esere Baba E je ko mo.

[alakentu305]

i wuold like to know if i can tatoo my ODU on my left hand where my ideifa is can that happen or no i cant wait to do IFA

[osunyemi]

as most tattoo artists will tell you, the hand is not the best place for a tattoo. choose an area where there is good muscle underlying the skin.

Osunyemi

[outthetube]

Impressive stuff. Thanks.