270 SOME TKlnAL CUSTOMS IN THEIR RELATION TO MEDICINE AND MORALS 



contact with thcni, as amongst many uncontaminated tribes of Central Africa such as their 

 neighbouring Shilluks and Dinkas — 



" The curved incisions that for three months past 

 Proclaimed his manhood on his forehead set." 



(" A Binka Story ") 

 Scarring are not found among the Nyam-nyam or Gour. On the other hand, their place is taken, 



especially among the Nyam-nyam, by very extensive scarring of the body (chiefly about 

 the abdomen, back and breasts) in both sexes. 



These scars are arranged, as a rule, in symmetrical and regular designs (vide 

 rig. 78), usually radiating round the umbilicus and nipples. There is no unity of 

 pattern according to tribe or family. 



The operation is generally commenced before puberty and completed bit by bit 

 (sometimes left incomplete), though it may be undertaken in adult life, when it appeai-s 

 often to bear a relationship to " Blood-Brotherhood," each " brother " aiming at a 

 similarity of design. 



The scheme is first marked out in " red clay," or left to the artist's eye. Small 

 folds of skin are then pinched up and rapidly incised, a stipple effect being gained 

 by the number of small keloids resulting. The pain must be intense, but, since the 

 operation is solely for cosmetic effect, and of no sounder raison d'etre, it is cheerfully 

 submitted to. Into the fresh wounds wood-ash and oil are rubbed to increase the scar 

 tissue and act as a dressing. 



iSpurioKK face inarkiiiys 



The false " Shiluk " (tribal face scars) already referred to {inde Civilisation, ^j«(/e 242) 

 as being affected by those who wish to ape a superior caste (that of the Arab or Sudanese 

 soldier), are produced by the application of the caustic juice of a plant termed Leshe 

 (Zandeh), which is painted on in the design required (commonly three diagonal lines 

 across each cheek). It burns into the skin, removing nmch of the pigment and leaving 

 light-coloured markings very difficult to distinguish on casual inspection from real sears. 



A general lightening in the colour of the face is also produced by the wider 

 application of a weak solution of this same plant. 



Lip perforatiiiii [ride Figs. 75 and 77) 



Is seldom employed by the Nyam-nyam. Among the Gour women (as is the Nuba 



custom), it is almost universal, more exceptionally it is adopted by their men. One such 



Lip perforation instance was that of a chief near M'volo, who wore so highly-polished a cartridge case in 



his upper lip that in the sunlight it was impossible to look him in the face without 



dropping one's eyes, an effect obviously aimed at. 



The operation is performed in early childhood, one or both lips being perforated 

 with the point of a spear and pegs inserted, of gradually increasing size, until cylinders 

 of wood, stone or metal (usually the butt ends of 12-bore shot cartridges) can be 

 introduced. These cylinders (unlike the Nuba variety) lie flush with the outer surface 

 of the lip, the upper and lower incisors being removed for their better reception within. 

 The general effect produced is beak-like and loathsome in the extreme. "When both 

 lips are so deformed they resemble castanets constantly clacking together with the 

 jabber of their possessor. 



