Ileke-IdI:
she's pretty.

#80million:
*speechless*

so how will this collect the 4th award back from Messi and give it to CR7?

Not on ur life, mehn! Merciless Messi won that award cos he most deserved it and he's the best among the rest.

sexkillz: Iberiberism. . .

Babzilla: TSK TSK. HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT FROM SMELLY ITCHY WEAVE-ONS, 8 INCH FAKE NAILS, 6INCH HEAVY LASHES, & OF RECENT PIERCINGS & THE CRAPPY TATTOOS WE C. BECAUSE ITS NOT FROM THE WEST ITS TERMED 'MADNESS'. ID BET THAT IF IT WERE WESTERNERS DOING THIS IT WONT BE QUESTIONED BUT ADOPTED

sweet_gala: As mentioned above it is part of tradition it's rather odds that a western way of viewing African acts as uncivilized has taken prevalence in many Nigerians.
The practice as explained takes its roots from tradition, advantages are stated to include suppression of odours, teeth whitening and healthier gums that bleed less.
Same goes for tribal marks once accepted as important facial beautification and clan signifier now seen as inhumane scaring.

ignis:
Searching my lexicon for the meaning of this word.

TerryCarr: Change=cultural imperialism. now i don't care about the gums thing but giving up your cultural, your language just because you think it is savage and primitive is sad.

all4naija: Seriously, I doubt if you know what culture really means. I see it as collective achievement in different human endeavours. Most of us failed to understand culture evolves. It is the simple reason why the way we live today is different from our forefathers. Surprisingly, you are failing to see that in this present generation. It is a big shame on your side. However, I am not against culture but when we begin to see some barbaric practices as something worth emulating then I feel to disagree.

keep fooling yourself to think it is all culture to embrace everything in the past that is primitively irritating.

JallowBah:

But how is this any worse than all the tattooing many people are doing all over their body..?

all4naija: Seriously, I doubt if you know what culture really means. I see it as collective achievement in different human endeavours. Most of us failed to understand culture evolves. It is the simple reason why the way we live today is different from our forefathers. Surprisingly, you are failing to see that in this present generation. It is a big shame on your side. However, I am not against culture but when we begin to see some barbaric practices as something worth emulating then I feel to disagree.

keep fooling yourself to think it is all culture to embrace everything in the past that is primitively irritating.

all4naija: You can check for information on both practices for yourself. The process and location of the tattoo explain the differences to some extent.

JallowBah:

Many people, all over the world, use what is called "Stick n poke", which is the traditional way of tattooing. Not all artist of tattooing use a machine. So, maybe it is YOU who need to check on information..

JallowBah: Many fulani in Gambia do this as well.

I know some people who TRIED to do it. Lol. The backed out after 3-4 stings with the needle
I also know some people who did this when they were around 14 years..it also makes a dark mark around the mouth for many of the girls.
This is no worse than tribal-marks getting cut into the face or the body, people.

vanstanzy: That country senegal, have always being at the fore-front of African Voodoo. I won't be surprised if the black dye is actually a voodoo concoction aimed at trapping men when u rob it on and smile at them.

all4naija: What about the location? Huh!

kandiikane:

It doesn't leave a dark mark around the mouth unless you tattoo the mouth also which many fulani and toucouleurs women do.

It actually looks very nice when you see it in real life. When a woman with a tattooed gum smiles.

@Majority of girls choose to do it because it makes ones smile nicer. The same way you have your tattoos(your choice) it's the same way they tattoo their gums.

JallowBah:

..in the bush, you mean?
Or, inside the mouth?

Never seen a white man tattoo things inside the mouth? I have seen many..

JallowBah:

Yes, it does leave a mark for some, it depends on the mix you use, and how long time it takes for you to finish the mouth. Some use strong henna, which is supposed to go away but sometimes don`t, for tattooing.

It looks absolutely beautiful.
Some of our family in Gambia have the chin, and on the side of the eyes, and a stripe in the fore-head, and some friends of the family have this one for the mouth. It is stunning.

In my husbands small village far in the bush, they stopped the mouth-tattoo after a woman died not long after getting the tattoo. They don`t know if it was because of infection or not, but they did not wish to take the chance anymore. You still see many women with it, though, but most of them are over 35-40 years old. I do wish they would keep these beauty-traditions, that goes for tribal-marks as well, but I do feel like many of the cultures should let the kids choose theirself at a certain age..

And about the voodoo-thing..even in Senegal and Gambia they have juju that involves sacrificing of people. It is rarely used, or talked about out loud, but it still happens. People "disappear" in the bush, or get kidnapped. But, as I have heard, it is a very, very low percentage on that one.
They mainly use juju for protection, and the marabout is often known for looking in the future and past, and as a guide and a man to go to for advice.

all4naija: Lol @... in the bush,you mean? I think location connotes a particular place or position. And, it is synonymous with part,spot,etc.

The sight is not good-looking.I will not allow my GF to go for such.

Must it be judged on white-man's acceptance or practice?

all4naija: Then, you must have to look for a superstar who will put it on first for it to go global and be seen as something not primitive. As for me, I think it is still a barbaric practice to have your gum and inside mouth tattooed in such a horrible way.