Before modernity, several ethnic groups in Nigeria had distinct face marks that were unique to the tribe. From Yoruba to Igbo to Hausa, tribal markings are lacerations done on the face.

Tribal markings performed various functions in many tribes, including identification, healing, spiritual protection, and attractiveness.

However, with the entrance of western faiths, most tribes abandoned the practice since it was considered harmful and heathen.
The Yoruba, for example, have several patterns of tribal insignia and names, such as Keke, Abaja, Gombo, Bamu, and Pele, to name a few.

Social reasons are partly to blame for the decline in the practice of tribal markings. Due to the marks, it is pretty common for people to refer to someone who wears a tribal mark as a "colonel."

However, while tribal markings are found in practically every tribe in Nigeria, they are not commonly linked with Igbo, Calabar, or Ijaw people. Only a handful have markings, usually on their temples (the flat part at the side of the forehead).

TRIBAL MARKS IN YORUBALAND

The Yorubas are a myriad of people who inhabit South-West Nigeria. Lagos, the former capital of Nigeria, is Yoruba land. Yoruba land is one of the cradles of this practice. Tribal marks, popularly known as Ila in the Yoruba language, are part of Yoruba culture.

Dating back to over 200 years ago, the practice of marking people according to the tribe has its worth in the rich history and tradition of the Yorubas.

The Yoruba tribal marks are scarifications which are specific identification and beautification marks designed on the face or body of the Yoruba people.

The tribal marks are part of the Yoruba culture and are usually inscribed on the body by burning or cutting of the skin during childhood.

THE ORIGIN OF TRIBAL MARKS IN YORUBA LAND 

According to Yoruba folklore on the origin of the ilà (tribal marks), as culled from Lolo Cynthia, one account was one of the past kings of Old Oyo Empire, Sango.

The accounts hold that tribal marks became popular after Sango wife asked that an adulterous slave be beaten and given scars on her face, especially because she was beautiful.

However, according to the account, the scars only made the slave more beautiful. As a result of this, Sango accepted their decision and also decided to get the tribal marks as well.

This is why the Eyo marks are drawn on only the royal family of Oyo. Following this event, tribal marks became popular. 

Whilst another account states that tribal marks became popular during the slave trade as means of identification of people from various tribes.

FUNCTIONS OF TRIBAL MARK AMONG THE YORUBA 

1. Means of identification among tribes 

Foremost the primary function of the Tribal mark (Ila) is to identify with a particular tribe, family, or patrilineal heritage. Some common marks are those associated with Ile-Ife, Oyo, Ogbomoso, and Egba ethnic groups.

2. Religious Purposes 

Tribal serves religious purposes among the Yoruba of the Southwest. Religion and Spiritual Protection Some facial marks can be identified as part of religious practices.

In some parts of Yoruba land, tribal marks on the face are believed to grant spiritual power to children, protect a child from evil spirits and stop death from taking the child at a very young age.

3. Beautification

Another aim of the Tribal mark among the Yoruba is solely for beautification. Tribal marks among the Yoruba were also used for beautification purposes. Traditional men and women believed that tribal marks made them look more attractive. 

4. Healing 

Healing is another purpose of tribal marks among the Yorubas. One of the most unusual meanings associated with tribal marks is connected to traditional healing practices.

Healers in some tribes mark children's faces and bodies to help them to recover. It was used to treat children with measles, pneumonia, and convulsion. The healing marks could be made on any part of the body. These marks are very small and often difficult to spot. 

5. Royal purpose

Furthermore, Tribal among the Yoruba serves a royal purpose. Some tribal marks are associated with the thrones of certain towns, so whoever becomes the king is expected to have the tribal mark associated with this traditional office.

For example, it is still very much anticipated in Iseyin, Oyo State, that any new king will have the Pele tribal mark.

TYPES OF TRIBAL MARKS AMONG THE YORUBA 

1. Nupe tribal mark

Nupe tribal mark

The Nupe people are a significant minority in Kwara and Kogi states. Their tribal markings consist of several curves on the cheeks or one vertical strip on each cheek.

These scars are occasionally used to emphasize status or to identify the family to which they belong. They also wear it for protection and as a form of jewellery.

2. Pele tribal mark

pele tribal mark

The Ife people employ the Pele tribal mark, but it is also a universal Yoruba marking system because practically all Yoruba tribes have their variation of it. Three large vertical lines are painted on Pele's cheeks.

Pele Ijebu and Pele Ijesha are the other variants.



3. Gombo tribal symbol

Gombo tribal marks

The Gọmbọ style, also known as Kẹkẹ, consists of multiple straight and curved lines about half of an inch apart inscribed on the cheeks on both sides of the mouth.

Indigenes of Ogbomosho in Oyo State are usually identified by the Gombo or Kẹkẹ style of Yoruba tribal marks.




4. Tribal mark of Abaja

abaja tribal marks

Abaja can be both a basic and also complex style. Its basic form is either three or four horizontal stripes on the cheeks.

The Abaja style also consists of twelve horizontal lines, six lines per cheek. It is often referred to as "Abaja Alaafin Mefa Mefa".

This tribal mark is unique to the indigenes of Oyo, Nigeria. The Abaja style of Yoruba tribal mark was inscribed on the cheeks of Lamidi Adeyemi III, the Alaafin of Oyo.


5. Owu tribal mark

owu tribal mark

Owu tribal marks consist of six incisions on each side of the cheeks. They are peculiar to the indigenes of Owu, a historical city in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, Nigeria.

The Owu tribal mark was inscribed on the cheeks of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.




6. JAJU

JAJU MARK

Jaju is another significant Yoruba Tribal mark bore by Ondo natives of the Southwest. The Jaju tribal mark is a single horizontal line on both sides of the face. 



7. ABAJA ALAGBEDE MARK

The first Abaja is always in a vertical slant, but this Abaja Alagbele will have vertical and horizontal on each cheek. Most times, the vertical is sometimes more significant and at the base of the cheeks.

8. TURE

Ture is a traditional tribal mark for essential people. It is somehow gender sensitive to the female gender. The Ture has smaller horizontal marks closer to the mouth on each side of the cheek and has another three long horizontal strokes after the small three and ending close to both ears, having 12 strokes on both cheeks.

9. EYO

There are marks, also known as Eyo marks (broad ribbon marks) which are drawn along the whole length of the arms and legs.

Although among the Oyo, enslaved people born within the palace or those closely related to the Royal family were allowed to wear some of these facial marks, the Eyo marks were reserved majorly for the members of the Royal Family.

All the marks mentioned above are ubiquitous among the Oyo people, especially those belonging to the Royal family.

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