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Roots
Abibitumi! Abibifahodie!
I would love a discussion focusing on the now taboo indigenous practice of tattooing/scarification/body modification that was once prevalent amongst Abibifoɔ in Abibiman. We know we were stripped of our languages, names, culture; part of that culture being our physical expression. Marking of the body is a sacred act of our people, symbolizing many things i.e rites of passage, status in our community, as well as ornamental. The Makonde of Mozambique call it 'Dinembo’ and they understand the power within the blood; Even guarding it in the process of tattooing so that blood could not be used for spiritual misuse upon the person receiving the tattoo by others. Tattooing in their ideology is a blood ritual, you could even say spiritual surgery. Our markings allow us to receive blessings, ward bad energy and even manifest. This practice was done all across Abibiman. What once was beautiful and sacred practice that gave a sense of belonging to the people and a story of our roots, has now been demonized and viewed as perverted. This idea is something we also need to mentally deconstruct.
