CRITT1: Explain an issue: Body modification

Introduction

Humans have always changed their anatomy or physical appearance. Body modification exists everywhere in the world. Body adjustments in modern world can include, a tattoo, body paintings or minerals spread all over the bodies. Hair can be chopped or fashioned in a manner that modifies the body. Paints and haircuts are some of the temporary body modification methods. Piercings are semi-permanent modifications. Tattoos can be temporary or permanent, it all depends with  one’s choice. Other kinds of permanent modification include burning badges and tattoos into a person’s skin. Removing one’s skin to form wounds. When the wounds heal, scars form. This method of body modification is known as scarification (DeMello, p301)

CRI1 explaining an issue

Ever since the dawn of time, humans have been altering their physical appearance, modifying it using paints, tattoo, piercings and scars for their own entertainment or pleasure. Although, over the course of history, in most areas of the earth, it is becoming less and less popular or unacceptable. Those who alter their bodies are termed as barbaric or uncivilized. Opponents of body modification fail to acknowledge that the practice was also carried out by their own ancestors in the past. Change is the only constant in life, the world is always changing and regenerating itself in various new ways. Most westerners perceive body alterations as a show of rebellion. However, the practice has an extensive history dating back to the cradle of mankind. This paper will discuss the types of body modification found in various cultures and reasons behind their existence (DeMello, p243).

Body alteration is a self-explanatory word. It defines itself.  When an individual decides to change   his or her outward appearance or anatomy, the adjustment is known as body modification. The reasons for body modification vary from one person to another. This is due to culture, religion, spiritual or cosmetic purposes. Body modification can be as basic as a young woman  piercing her ears at a parlor; an individual getting Botox injection or an old man dying his hair black. The act of body modification is common in today’s society although the reason behind the change varies in each context (DeMello, p133)

 

CRIT2: Utilize context .Assumptions made on body modification

 

There are many assumptions associated with body modifications .Assumptions which group individuals into categories are common within the society and  generate prejudice and discrimination .This can be exemplified when a parent or guardian cautions their children not to engage with people sporting  body modifications .Most people assume modifications are evil or unethical (Sheumaker, Helen, and Shirley, p 119).

How far is too far in the context of body modification, such as piercings and tattoos. Some people have tattoos behind their tongues while others have altered the color of their skin. In some cases people over do their tattoos and piercing to an excessive level. This often brings stigma. The degree of body modification should be regulated. (Featherstone, p57).

 

 

DIVGL2

 Most traditional cultures practice body modification, be it an African tribe donning a lip ring or Alaskan tribe wearing the labret cork, perspectives differ. In New Guinea, in Sepik area, the crocodile is held in high esteem. The community believes that the creature breathed life into them. As a tradition, young men usually take part in a christening ritual. In this ceremony, their skin is cut using bamboo sticks to look like the skin of a crocodile. Blisters, in this culture represented scales of crocodiles. Some people use tattoos for inspiration or to remember loved ones who may have passed away. Decisions are made at a personal level hence opinion vary from individual to another. (Featherstone, p155).

 

DIVGL3 addressing diversity

 

Body modification, tattoos and scarification are universal art forms used for various reasons. Research has revealed the utilization of cranial shaping in ancient Egypt. Cranial shaping starts the minute a child is born and the neck is still elastic. The head of the infant is wrapped tightly with bandages to force it into a conical shape .The head can also be flattened using a head board. This body modification is performed in tribes located in central Africa and some native tribes of America. Various cranial shapes act as identifiers between different groups and also differentiate social classes (Featherstone, p105).

Piercings can be traced back 5000 years ago. In ancient times, nose piercings were among the oldest recorded piercings. Nose piercings were very popular among the Aztec tribe. Ear piercings were used to repel evil spirits, magical purposes and to make a woman more beautiful. However ear piercings were a sign of dependence on parents .Foot binding was common practice in China until the late 1911 when the newly formed, Chinese republic abolished it. Binding begun at infancy stage. A girl’s feet was wrapped tightly in cloths, restricting growth hence deforming the feet. The wrappings and special shoes prevented the girls’ foot from advancing past 3.9 inches. Neck stretching begun at infancy. Beaded or metal rings were placed around the baby’s neck region. More rings were added to the neck as time passed by. The rings could push the collar bone and shoulders downwards, elongating the neck. After the neck has been elongated fully, the girl can go ahead and remove the rings without any challenge. The practice was popular in Asia and African tribes (Sheumaker, Helen, and Shirley, p345).

Scarification was first noticed among the Maori tribe who made self-inflicted deep cuts into their faces. This was meant to make tribesmen appear fiercer. Laceration was once a very popular act among Aboriginal tribe in Australia. Just like the tradition carried out by New Guinea people. Wounds would be inflicted on the stomach, breast region and other body parts of a man or woman. Scarification was performed on people who had attained the age of sixteen or seventeen years. This was such a vital ritual. Those who did not bear these scars were often not permitted to join the tribe’s ceremonies or represent .The tribeswomen belonging to these tribes would be subjected to lacerations as it was perceived as a symbol of beauty and men found it attractive (Sheumaker, Helen, and Shirley, p123).

Scarification, does not embrace its traditional roots within the contemporary society. It is often utilized as form of self-expression in the contemporary world. Sharp objects such as a scalpel or knives can be used to modify   the body. These layouts can be easy such as ancestral arrangements or complicated (Featherstone, p126).

Stretching of earlobes is another common type of boy modification. Mesoamerican cultures such as Mayan and Canela tribes practiced it .In Mayan civilizations, a stretched earlobe was done for spiritual purposes .In Mayan tribes, the ear captured spiritual energy. Consequently body modifications made on the ear were important to the community. Obsidian and shells were worn on ear lobes to signify spirituality. Ear ornaments were made out of precious stones. Assisting in making a jadeite flare elevated the position of an individual. A Mayan flare had a very specific architecture. It has the shape of a flesh channel, a hollow tube worn in extended earlobes. The front of the flare is a bit bigger than the back of the channel. The architecture looks like a flower. Each component of the flare represent a different component of a flower. The major flare symbolizes a calyx and the beads symbolizes a pistol of a bloom of a plant and so on and so forth (Mitchell, Claudia, and Jacqueline, p 223)

In the Canela tribe, ear stretching is a ritual that marks the beginning of manhood for a boy child. After undergoing this ritual, a boy should be obedient and submissive to leaders and elders. So their ears are opened after they undergo the ritual. This ritual takes place when boys have attained the age of ten or fifteen years. The boy’s social identity is cemented by this sacrament. However, due to the influence of modern world. Canela tribe no longer carries out the act although the practice is common in the contemporary world. Stretched ear lobes are common in different communities around the world. It is a body adjustment that people find acceptable in the society. Although, individuals may ask questions why an individual decided to stretch their earlobes but it is not hated (Mitchell, Claudia, and Jacqueline, p 180)

 

 

Diversity in modern society

Youth and adolescence is one of the most important and impactful period in an individual’s life. It is a time when youth are seeking their identity. Tattoos and piercing are one of the various ways through which the youth may utilize for expression of their identity, for they are symbolic representations of how their inners self is understood .Individuals may want to alter themselves into people they are not. For example, someone may get a tattoo or piercing to look more tough or threatening. Body piercing is a self-imposed rite of passage among the youth. This actually means that people feel an instinctive drive or urge to undergo a passage (Mitchell, Claudia, and Jacqueline, p 103)

 

DIVGL1how ancient modification concise with modern day modifications

Most people tend to think that human bodies are as a result of nature. But in realty human bodies are also impacted by culture. That is, globally, all cultures around the world alter or change their body. Most of the body modification are similar. The reason may vary from one culture to another. Body modification was once associated   with  deviant social categories .But they have become more acceptable and main stream .The motives behind body modification are ever changing although the practice remain the same (Mitchell, Claudia, and Jacqueline, p 234)

Conclusion

Body modification is an ancient practice that has survived the test of time. There are various types of body adjustments .Tattoos, piercings, earlobe stretching and body painting are some of the most popular body modifications. People modify their bodies for various reasons. Youths find it as a way of self-expressing themselves. Nevertheless, body modification gives an individual a unique identity. Some societies are against the practice. They associate it with deviant or rebellious behavior.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

DeMello, Margo. Encyclopedia of Body Adornment. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 2007.

Sheumaker, Helen, and Shirley T. Wajda. Material Culture in America: Understanding Everyday Life. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO, 2008.

Featherstone, Mike. Body Modification. London: SAGE, 2000

Mitchell, Claudia, and Jacqueline Reid-Walsh. Girl Culture: An Encyclopedia. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 2008