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Congo, Africa - Terrifying Warrior with bullet piercings
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Congo, Africa - Terrifying Warrior with bullet piercings
A Bougbou Tribesman from the region close to the start of the Kotto, a major tributary of the Ubangi right bank, so a sub-tributary of the Congo River - Congo, Central Africa - Terrifying (pre-punk!) Warrior with bullet piercings and forehead scarification. Date: circa 1910s
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Media ID 14380694
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
Earring Facial Gaze Lips Menace Menacing Pierced Piercing Scarification Scarred Scarring Scars Tribesman Warrior
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative black-and-white photograph, a fierce and intimidating warrior from the Bougbou Tribe of Central Africa stands proudly before the camera. The man, adorned with intricate scarifications and piercings, gazes directly into the lens with a steely and unyielding gaze. His lips are pierced with large rings, and his ears bear the weight of heavy earrings. The scars on his forehead and cheeks, the result of tribal rituals and rites of passage, add to his menacing appearance. The Bougbou Tribe inhabits the region close to the start of the Kotto, a major sub-tributary that flows into the Ubangi River, which in turn is a significant tributary of the mighty Congo River. The photograph was likely taken in the 1910s, a time when European explorers and colonizers were making their way into the heart of Africa, documenting the diverse and complex cultures they encountered. The warrior's piercings and scarifications were not merely decorative, but rather served as symbols of his status, power, and identity within his community. These practices were deeply rooted in the Bougbou Tribe's rich cultural heritage and were passed down from generation to generation. The photograph offers a glimpse into a world that has largely disappeared, a world where traditional customs and beliefs held sway, and where the human body was a canvas for the expression of cultural identity. Despite the passage of time and the many changes that have taken place in Central Africa, the image of this terrifying warrior remains a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength of Africa's indigenous peoples, and the importance of preserving their cultural heritage for future generations.
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