Beauty knows no borders, but its definition varies wildly across cultures and continents. In certain parts of Africa, being thick is revered, while being skinny is often seen as a sign of sickness or poverty. In some cultures, dark skin is the epitome of beauty, while in others, dark skin is associated with poverty.
From body size to skin modifications, every culture has a different standard. However, a universal fact is that there is a constant appreciation of women who fit the beauty standards peculiar to their people. And at the heart of it all lies the female form, revered as a canvas of beauty, shaped and adorned to perfection. While a woman’s body is largely considered to be her greatest beauty, some tribes in Africa have practised age-long traditions that take the beautification of a woman’s body perhaps to the extreme.
Here are a few beautification practices I consider extreme from countries across Africa:
Scarification in Ethiopia and Somalia
In the vibrant cultures of Ethiopia and Somalia, scarification is a timeless beauty practice that embodies strength, resilience, and spiritual power. For women, intentional scars are a coveted beauty mark, symbolising their transition to womanhood and cultural identity. With rituals steeped in tradition, women undergo scarification on their cheeks, forehead, and arms, using sharp objects and natural remedies to create raised, textured scars.
In Ethiopia’s Karo and Mursi tribes, scars signify spiritual power, while in Somalia, they represent a woman’s ability to withstand life’s challenges. Although health risks such as infections, keloids, and HIV exist, scarification remains a cherished practice, connecting women to their heritage and community.
Fattening of girls in Mauritania
In some African cultures, a centuries-old practice known as “fattening” or “leblouh” prepares young women for marriage by feeding them a rich diet to gain weight and curves, symbolising beauty, fertility, and wealth. In this tradition, being plump is a mark of attractiveness, health, and prosperity, making the bride a valuable asset to her new family.
The fattening process is often a communal effort, with relatives and friends gathering to feed and pamper the bride-to-be, celebrating her transition to womanhood and marital status. Girls as young as five are sent to “fattening farms” to gorge on calorie-dense foods such as millet and camel milk. Some girls are also forced to take a drug called dexamethasone to gain weight quickly. This drug, normally used to fatten up animals like cows and horses, is mixed with herbs to speed up the fattening process.
In a conversation with Harvard International Review, Elhacen, who force-feeds young girls for a living, reveals that she takes pride in her work. “I’m very strict…I beat the girls, or torture them by squeezing a stick between their toes. I isolate them and tell them that thin women are inferior,” she proudly stated.
A study found that “over 61% of those who had experienced fattening reported being beaten during the process, and almost one-third (29%) reported having their fingers broken to encourage participation.” While this practice has raised concerns about health and body image, it remains a cherished ritual in some communities, honouring the beauty and worth of the woman.
Teeth sharpening in Ethiopia and Ghana
Teeth sharpening is a centuries-old tradition that’s as fascinating as it is complex. Among the Mursi and Surma tribes in Ethiopia, and in some Ghanaian communities, young boys and girls have their teeth carefully chiselled or filed to create razor-sharp points, symbolising beauty, strength, and spiritual power. This ancient practice is often a rite of passage, signifying the transition to adulthood or showcasing cultural identity. With each carefully crafted point, individuals embody their community’s values and traditions.
Neck stretching in South Africa
For South Africa’s Ndebele people, neck stretching is a mesmerising tradition that embodies elegance, strength, and spirituality. Women adorn their necks with metal rings or coils, gradually adding more over time, to create an extraordinary, elongated
silhouette. This ancient practice is not only a beauty ideal, but also a symbol of physical and spiritual resilience, connecting women to their ancestors and the divine.
As young girls transition to womanhood, they begin wearing coils, marking their initiation into this cherished tradition. The rings are given by the husband to his wife as a symbol of faithfulness and love, and they can only be removed after her death. The more rings a woman wears, the more respect she commands in society. With each carefully added ring, Ndebele women showcase their cultural heritage, walking tall with grace and poise, their stretched necks a testament to their community’s rich history and traditions.
Stretched ears in Tanzania and Kenya
Have you ever heard of the Maasai saying, “Big ears tell bigger stories?” Elongated earlobes are a tradition passed down for generations. These stretched lobes aren’t just a fashion statement; they’re an archive of cultural richness symbolising beauty, spirituality, and identity. From a young age, Maasai people pierce their earlobes and gradually stretch them using wooden, bone, or metal plugs.
This ancient practice is believed to bring individuals closer to their ancestors and heritage, marking important life transitions and signifying cultural pride. As the earlobes stretch, so does the connection to their rich traditions and history. With each careful insertion of a new plug, Maasai people showcase their unique beauty and spiritual strength, making their stretched ears an iconic and enduring part of their cultural identity.
Will there be an end to these beauty practices?
While these practices hold deep cultural significance and historical roots, they also raise concerns about health risks, body image, and gender dynamics. As we respect and acknowledge the importance of these traditions to their people, it is important to prioritise women’s freedom to make choices, control their own lives, and ensure their long-term health and happiness.
The future of these deeply ingrained cultural practices is uncertain, but signs of change are emerging. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, globalisation and urbanisation are sparking a beauty revolution. With easy access to the internet and social media, people are gaining access to a diverse array of beauty standards, exposing the harm caused by traditional practices like fattening. Urbanisation is also bringing cultures together, promoting cross-cultural understanding, and encouraging the adoption of more inclusive beauty standards.
Economic empowerment is giving women the freedom to make informed choices about their bodies, while a growing middle class is providing access to education, healthcare, and safer beauty products. As a result, people are embracing their natural beauty, rejecting harmful practices, and redefining what it means to be beautiful. While the change will likely be gradual, it’s heartening to see progress toward a more inclusive and empowering cultural landscape.
