Tattoos and piercings are nothing new in the Western world. However, I must say I’m quite surprised at how quickly it seems to also be dominating Africa as well.
Although I was not raised in Ghana, I’ve always seen my country as being one of the ‘Japans’ of Africa- by this I mean that for an African country, I think we are well developed compare to others, and that we’re not doing too badly for ourselves- I see Ghana as one of the ‘big dogs’ of Africa (not being biased, just truthful).
It always saddens me to see instances where it seems as though our traditional and cultural practices are being banished, in order to make way for Westernised ideologies that do not really suit the moral fibre of a Ghanaian society.
It’s all well and good when I go to Ghana for holidays and I see or hear people trying to ‘brofolise’ themselves; there are wannabe ‘gangsters’ that have to include either “yeah dog”, “yo you feel me man” or “you know what I’m saying homie” in nearly every sentence.
Then you get the wastemen wearing faux fur jackets or some broke-down leather jacket in the scorching heat of Ghana- why do some people make themselves suffer like that, seriously?
When I see or hear such things, I actually find it amusing. On the other hand, practices that I find far from hilarious are the excessive amounts of piercings and tattoos that are now becoming commonplace within our Ghanaian culture. Worst of it all, most of these tattoos are poorly done.
I’m not saying that Ghanaians- or indeed other Africans- should not have tattoos or piercings just because of our status as Africans; what I am trying to reiterate is that we should not do it so excessively like it is done in the Western world, or copy so blindly.
I think that one of the big problems that Ghanaians (both in Ghana and the Diaspora) have is that they attempt to copy the Western world too much, and in such an instance, imitation is not necessarily the best form of flattery.
I remember a time when you could watch a Ghanaian movie and only females wore earrings. Now, nearly every single English-language Ghanaian movie I watch has at least two male characters wearing earrings (not as part of the roles they’re playing either), and females with numerous numbers of piercings, and even tattoos.
Maybe it’s just about personal preference because me personally, I have always thought it to be unlady-like if a woman has a substantial amount of tattoos- too much tattoos on both men and women for that matter, just seems tacky to me.
I know the World is changing and Ghana is moving forward along with the West, but I just think there are some Western practices that we indulge in too abundantly, and to be honest, most times I don’t even think it looks right.
I saw a nice, dark and handsome Ghanaian guy once- seriously I thought everything about him looked perfect until I saw the numerous amount of scars and burns all over his arms. On closer inspection, I realised that those ‘scars’ and ‘burns’ were actually his tattoos, but because of his skin tone, they were not very visible to me.
I’m not going to lie- I think some tattoos are really sexy, and they can look good on both men and women, but in moderate amounts, the same with piercings.
Although to be fair, I think I should add that perhaps not every Ghanaian who gets a tattoo or a piercing is a victim of ‘Copycat Syndrome’. There may be the minority that actually get quite a numerous amount of piercings and tattoos solely because they like them, or for other personal reasons.
I never really had much of an understanding concerning how tattoos and piercings were not something that was commonplace within a Ghanaian society until when I turned 16 and tried to turn my body into an art canvas- my mother let me know straight up that she was not having that.
Personally, I will never ever get a tattoo in my life purely because;
a) I hate the thought of permanently marking my skin with ink,
b) inking your body (i.e. God’s temple as it has been deemed in the Bible) is against my Christian beliefs, and
c) I am absolutely petrified of needles.
Although I do have several piercings, I remember how World War 3 nearly broke out in my house when my mum found out that I got my tongue pierced! (Oh my goodness on that day I actually wanted to call Social Services myself for some form of rescue).
I know what my other African friends (not just the Ghanaians) have been through after mentioning to their parents that they wanted to get a new piercing or a tattoo- to quote my Nigerian friend’s mother: “You think you were raised here so you want to behave like the Oyibo? Over my dead body!” (I always used to get the piercings done and then show my parents- oh man, no wonder I got ten times the beatings).
As I have previously stated in this article, I do think that some tattoos and piercings- when done moderately- are actually very nice to look at.
Are Ghanaians copying the Western world too much? Are the excessive amounts of tattoos and piercings in Ghanaian society HOT or NOT?
not a bad piece at all. i feel guilty commenting on dis cos i rock a tattoo maself but i’ll try to stay as neutral and objective as i can.lol
personally, i think anything done excessively is bad and this cuts across.
tattoing if u check it’s history is not something thats just starting in Africa. tattoos have been with us for a very long time. bak in the days, african royalties rocked tattoos and dis is evident from the various mummies found in different locations across the continent. der are still tribes in african who are into scarring, body piercings and tattooing. this is their tradition.
Modern africa has changed and dis sometimes confuses us when we’re making comparisons. ancient or traditional africa from back in the days had was very different from modern africa.those were the days of loin clothes, bare chest(unisex), earrings(unisex) body art( tattoos,scarring etc) and many more.
but as i said i agree with u when it comes to the excessiveness of these arts.some ppl are just overdoin it.
check dis site
http://tattoos.iloveindia.com/tattoo-history/tattooing-in-africa.html
Totally agree with you
i second that. too much of everything is bad.
You teach me something new everyday boo:-)
dont u have anything better doing than to comment. get a life madam
Is that not her work? She is paid to write and respond to readers comment and you? Geez! I sense “Skin Pain” here…
This ain’t my business but I just couldn’t let it go when people comment things like that Is not like the suffering from “skin pain” it’s lack of knowledge and pure dumbness I hope next time she will rethink before writing something Are you suffering from Traumatic brain injury or what damzz
if u cannot make a fair comment on a fair topic like this 1 then i wonder what u discuss with ur friends.
Wow this is too too funny oh this is more than a case of LMAO oh. GC’s readers wettin be ya problem…someone comments and you are commenting about the person commenting????!!!! So I guess that means akua you too should also ‘get a life’ right? lol
😀
it’ll be hard for me to comment on diz @Reggie, cuz i rock sum piercing and tatts my self….but hey, if u want to be a great fashionista, dat actually countz. in my opinion.
@ Leticia, Its ur opinion and I respect that but at the same time I feel being a great fashionista has nothing to do with either tat or piercing, its just a matter of being up to date about the fashion world.I know its more like an accessory, but too much of it doesnt make you a pro.
I will come back on this topic
i love tattoos, they are hot as long as they are not on me….lol.
Do we have children of God here? Please read this.
Leviticus 19: 26-28 “26 Ye shall not eat anything with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantments, nor practise augury. 27Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard. 28Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am Jehovah. Thanks you friends.
Tattooing has been practiced for centuries worldwide The Ainu the indigenous people of Japan traditionally wore facial tattoos. Today one can find Berbers of Tamazgha (north Africa) it’s cool and all to have tattoo nothing wrong with that @Kobby to answer your comment There is no consistent Christian position on tattooing. The early Christian Montanist movement practiced tattoing as putting signs or seals of God’s name according to Rev. 7:3; 9:4; 13:16; 14:1; 20:4; 22:4. Some scholards suggest that this is a pagan influence which is unlikely The majority of Christians do not take issue with the practice, while a minority uphold the Hebrew view against tattoos (see below) based on Leviticus 19:28. Tattoos of Christian symbols are common When on pilgrimage some Christians get a small tattoo dating the year and a small cross This is usually done on the forearm
@ Kobby you said it all…@ Miyagi, i dnt kno what you’re talking bout lol..i mean we are not talking about how common it is…if you’re a christian then let me go on with this..yes they practiced tattoing as putting signs or seals of God’s name…but that was before Jesus came….when He came he took out some things that the people believed in & added some too ( ob3sh33 ne ma ) …then it was said ” Ye shall not eat anything with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantments, nor practise augury. 27Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard. 28Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am Jehovah” . Amen !
@flawless read kobbys comment than my maybe you might understand it in a way than
@ Miyagi…yeah i did…& i read yours too dear….you sound confused but all i’m saying is that the verses you quoted was before Jesus came….before He came they did anything they liked because they didnt really understand what they were doing .
Damn You nearly made me fall from my desk hahahahahahahahhah your really dissed her all the way @akua if j was you I wouldn’t show your gave for the mean time cause she damn put you in your place hahahahaha man I’m loving this by the day
@ Akua….u need 2 take your own damn advice u dutty sket….if you’re gonna chastise me 4 doing what I’m at least supposed 2 be doing….then make sure your dumbass ain’t doing the same….fool!!!!!…going back and forth commenting on things your damn self and u wanna tell me I don’t have shit to do…this is my job sket…is your ass getting paid or recognised by GC 2 leave your dutty comments here?!…hmmmm thought not….keep it moving kmt
Reg. calm down….if u do this job, alwys. prepare for commentz lyk diz. dnt. snap. it’s part of it all.
Reg, is there a personal beef with akua b4 this topic came up? Cos i feel u shldn’t av reacted cos we spoke for already.
Nah babe no personal beef…don’t know this chick from Adam…but yeah still true say…I shouldn’t have let my “street” attitude affected my professionalism…like Tish said…I should be prepared 4 all comments…even the ones from wasteheadz…so yeah gonna TRY keep my attitude in check now…I leave Akua 2 God:-)
@ Miyagi…BABE I AM SOOOO SORRY….I just clocked that u weren’t talking about me *bbm embarassed face*…sorry booboo…that dutty sket got me so vexed I couldn’t even read your comment properly….I’m sorryyyy *cuddles*….mwah
Lmao don’t be sorry hahaha you just put a big smile on my face hahahahhaja I knew you wouldn’t let it go that’s why I didn’t reply her but Chris was before me than out if no where booooom you just drop the bomb on her IM LOVING IT
Who you talking too
was talking to Akua
its nice on light skin ppl..
it’s stupid
Smh, i wonda why sme pple try 2 expose who they are here, no wonda the mouse can b in the mist of rats, it wil stil remain mouse forever, so u pple shud cut dz crap of professionalism n street attitude
Lol I sound confused I guess have to go and do my homework well
Lmao yess….& go to church more lol
lol dont push it okay lol but i get your point
lol gotchu
@ gee nice and simple
loool