The Art of Facial Marks as a Symbol of Identity among Hausa Communities of West Africa

Art is the mastery of techniques involving temporary or permanent drawings and carvings on paper, objects, human bodies, and more, for purposes of identification and decoration. In this context, families, communities, and kingdoms in Hausaland, spanning the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Niger in West Africa, are distinguished by unique features often visible on certain parts of the face or body. These features, exclusively associated with specific families, communities, or kingdoms, are traditionally referred to as family or community facial marks or scarification. In Hausa, they are known as ‘tsagar gado.’ These marks are permanent incisions made on the face or other parts of the body for male or female members of the family, community, or kingdom. They are categorized into various types, but this paper focuses on two: facial marks indicating the village, town, or kingdom of the bearer (tsagar gado mai nuna asalin gari ko ƙasa), and those signifying that the bearer is not of Hausa origin (tsagar gado mai nuna asalin mai ita ba Bahaushe ba ne). These facial marks are traditionally administered by Hausa barbers, known as wanzamai. This research provides a comprehensive exploration of these facial marks through qualitative methods, including individual and group interviews with selected participants, as well as consultations with memory institutions such as libraries, museums, and archives. Where photographs were unavailable, the study includes drawn representations to aid understanding.