Few things say “Yoruba” as visibly as the facial lines known as Yoruba tribal marks, called ila in Yoruba. For generations these marks told people where someone came from, which family they belonged to and sometimes how they were regarded in the community. Today the practice is fading, but the symbols still fascinate. This guide explains the main types, what they mean and why the tradition is changing.
What are Yoruba tribal marks?
Ila are lines cut into the face, most often on the cheeks, that identify a person’s clan, hometown or lineage. The marks are made by trained specialists known as oloola, and a person bearing them is called an okola. Each Yoruba clan has its own names for family lineage (orile), praise poetry (oriki), taboos (eewo) and facial marks, which together make up a person’s identity. Ila were also valued for beauty and as a sign of belonging and pride.
Main types of Yoruba tribal marks
| Mark | What it looks like | Associated with |
|---|---|---|
| Pele | Three vertical lines on each cheek, in several variants | Ile-Ife (Pele Ife), Ijebu (Pele Ijebu) and Ijesha (Pele Ijesha); Pele is the most general Yoruba mark |
| Abaja | Horizontal lines on the cheeks, from simple sets of three or four to complex sets of six per cheek (the “Abaja Alaafin Mefa Mefa”) | Oyo; historically noble families and the Alaafin |
| Owu | Six incisions on each cheek, twelve in all | The Owu people of Abeokuta, Ogun State |
| Gombo (Keke) | Short straight and curved lines at the sides of the mouth | Ogbomosho, Oyo State, and parts of Oyo and Egba land |
| Other marks | Ture, Mande, Bamu, Jamgbadi and Yagba marks | Various Yoruba subgroups |
Some families also give a mark to every firstborn child in certain parts of Oyo State, and in places like Iseyin a new king is still expected to carry the Pele mark. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has proudly shown his Owu marks, once calling them his natural identity card.
What do the marks mean?
- Identity: they show a person’s clan, hometown or family line.
- Status and prestige: marks such as the complex Abaja are linked with nobility, bravery and rank.
- Beauty: many Yoruba considered marks to enhance a person’s looks.
- Protection and belonging: some traditionalists link marks to spiritual protection and to the rights a person has within a clan.
Where did tribal marks come from?
The origins are debated. Some Yoruba accounts say the practice began with Yoruba identity and clan systems, while some historians and cultural commentators connect its spread to the era of the slave trade, when marks helped people be recognised and returned to their home communities. The Nigerian Journal of Dermatology notes that there are about eight common types among the Oyo, Owu, Egba and other groups.
Why the tradition is fading
- Modernisation and colonial-era influence have changed attitudes toward the practice.
- Health concerns: cuts made with unsterilised instruments can cause infections and other complications.
- Laws: some Yoruba states have passed rules prohibiting the practice, and a federal bill was also discussed.
- Social pressure: some bearers have spoken of discrimination, even as others wear their marks with pride.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Yoruba word for tribal marks?
Ila.
Is it still legal to give tribal marks?
Rules vary. Some Yoruba states have passed laws against it, and the practice is no longer a norm, so check local regulations and health guidance.
Which Yoruba tribal mark belongs to Oyo?
Abaja is the mark most closely associated with Oyo, and Gombo is also common in parts of Oyo land.
Related reading: Origin of the Yoruba and Yoruba Proverbs and Meanings.
Sources: Wikipedia, The Guardian Nigeria, the Nigerian Journal of Dermatology, Blueprint and Face2Face Africa. Images are illustrative stock photos by Unsplash photographers.
