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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Tattoos and cicatrizations among the Namibian peoples
Author:Fisch, MariaISNI
Year:1991
Periodical:Journal - Namibia Scientific Society
Volume:43
Pages:49-69
Language:English
Notes:biblio. refs., ills.
Geographic terms:Namibia
Southern Africa
Subjects:Khoikhoi
San
Kavango
Ngangela
Ovambo
Chokwe
tattooing
Anthropology, Folklore, Culture
Manners and customs
Abstract:Ornamental scars (cicatrization) comprise permanent scar patterns, frequently unique to a given culture. In order to achieve the required degree of scarring, the healing process must be artificially delayed. If pigments are rubbed into the wound, this will result in a tattoo. Tattoos may be worn for aesthetic, social, religious or magical reasons. The bulk of this paper is devoted to patterns of tattoos and ornamental scars among the diverse ethnic groups of Namibia. These include the Khoésan hunter groups, most of whom belong to the !Khung-speaking group, including the !O-!Khung, better known as the Sekele or Kwankhala, and the Auen or //Khau-//e; the Khoé group, whose dialects are more or less similar to the Nama language, and who include the Hai//om, Kwengo (Kxoé) and Nharo (//Aikwe); the Kavango peoples (Mbukushu); the Wambo (Kwambi and Ngandjera); and the Mbwela and Chokwe-speaking groups (Mbwela, Ngangela, Nyemba, Mbunda, Luchazi and Chokwe). Bibliogr., sum. in German.
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