An Aboriginal man shows his scars in a rare portrait, 1885
An Aboriginal man shows his scars in a rare portrait, 1885
Many people online have speculated that this man got his scars from a battle or enslavement, however, this is not true.
These scars are self-inflicted. In many Aboriginal tribes, self-scarring is an important part of Aboriginal culture. Scars can mean different things, such as a person becoming a man or woman, entering puberty, bravery, infidelity or other achievements in life or spiritual meanings. The scars were often achieved with little plain. The initial cuts into the skin are done with rocks so sharp that there is little pain involved. The scars are then packed with burnt wood to pronounce the scarring.
The man above was an elder. I could not find the meaning of the scars on his body.
It is unknown why scarring was originally done, but one theory is that scarring was done as ink tattoos on dark skin may not be very visible, and so ancient people used different body modification techniques to create their markings.
Many people online have speculated that this man got his scars from a battle or enslavement, however, this is not true.
These scars are self-inflicted. In many Aboriginal tribes, self-scarring is an important part of Aboriginal culture. Scars can mean different things, such as a person becoming a man or woman, entering puberty, bravery, infidelity or other achievements in life or spiritual meanings. The scars were often achieved with little plain. The initial cuts into the skin are done with rocks so sharp that there is little pain involved. The scars are then packed with burnt wood to pronounce the scarring.
The man above was an elder. I could not find the meaning of the scars on his body.
It is unknown why scarring was originally done, but one theory is that scarring was done as ink tattoos on dark skin may not be very visible, and so ancient people used different body modification techniques to create their markings.
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