What is Scarification?
[[File:Murzi4.jpg|thumb|200px|A woman from [[Ethiopia]] with [[keloid]]ed scars and huge lip plug]] '''Scarification''' or '''cicatrization''' is a form of [[body modification]], where a design or pattern is cut, [[wikt:etch|etched]] or [[wikt:scratch|scratched]] into human [[skin]] to make a permanent scar. Like with most body modification, there are many reasons why people choose to be scarified. The act of scarifying has been compared to [[tattoo]]ing due to the fact that it permanently changes the skin. It has also been identified with [[self harm]] because people have used it to cover self-inflicted [[wikt:wound|wounds]].<ref>{{cite web|date=2010-12-05|title=Bizarre Magazine: Self Harm Cover-ups|url=http://www.bizarremag.com/weird-news/tattoos-body-art/7164/self_harm_coverups.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426041459/http://www.bizarremag.com/weird-news/tattoos-body-art/7164/self_harm_coverups.html|archive-date=2009-04-26|work=Shannon Larratt|accessdate=2008-06-01}}</ref> Scarification began as [[cultural identity|cultural identification]] in some places, especially in [[Māori people|Maori]] and [[Africa]]n societies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/07/0728_040728_tvtabooscars.html|work=Sharon Guynup|date=2010-12-05|accessdate=2004-07-28 |title=National Geographic: Scarification: Ancient Body Art Leaving New Marks}}</ref> Other cultures may use it for religious reasons, and nearly all cultures use it for [[aesthetics]]. Some people also use scarification for pleasure, as the process of being scarified creates [[endorphin]]s. ==Related pages== * [[Body modification]] * [[Tattoo]] * [[Self harm]] == References == {{reflist}} {{stub}} [[Category:Body art]]