I made this report with my Hasselblad, I used Kodak Tri-X Black & White film. I wanted to be as close as possible to my subject without the constraints of digital photography.
On the spot, people considered me as “Mr. Photographer” because the villagers couldn’t see the picture on my camera!
The scarification of human skin is a longstanding practice that has played a significant role in cultural consciousness and community-building. Although it has its origins as a practice among Australian Aborigines dating back to 60 000 B.C, elements of scarification were dispersed and adopted by many communities worldwide, persisting up until today. The procedural basis of scarification involves producing a scar that follows the complex biological process of wound healing.
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Thomas, Betamaribe
Family is waiting before the ceremony
Grandpa waiting for the master of ceremonies
Small scar on the arm
Hand with tools
The ceremony
The child is washed after the ceremony
Belly with scarification
On the walls, the same marks
A fishmonger with her scars on her face
Street of Cotonou
Child in the house
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