THE NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY
ISSN: 0331-4111 e-ISSN: 2736-075X
Volume 22, No. 2, November 2024
Pages 63-84
DOI: 10.36108/NJSA/4202.22.0250
Indigenous Based Knowledge and Body Marking among the Migili-Koro of Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Ambrose. W. Ogidi
Department of Sociology, Nasarawa State University, Keffi-Nigeria
Abstract
The study examines the influence of indigenous based knowledge on body marking among the Migili-koro of Nasarawa State. The focus of the study relates to the origin and prevalence of body marking even to this present generation. One significant aspect of body marking practice among Migili-koro people is associated with both solutions to health challenges and debilitating effects on children. The paper adopted the Ethnomethodology and Symbolic Interactionism approaches as frameworks for a better understanding on the indigenous based knowledge known to the Migili-koro society in Nasarawa State. Qualitative research approach was adopted, employing key informant interview, and in-depth interview. Collected data were analyzed descriptively. Findings from this study revealed that knowledge on body marking among the Migili-koro people was handed down to the present generation by their forbearers through several generations. This justifies the continuous acceptance of the practice among the people. The study also revealed that there are several processes for acquiring knowledge on body marking, which are three-fold: through inheritance, apprenticeship training and by divine revelation in form of dreams or trance. Furthermore, findings from the study revealed that men in Migili-koro society are the only persons that have exclusive right to practice body marking art. On level of knowledge of those who carry out body marking in Migili-koro society, it was revealed that only practitioners who have deep understanding of traditional religious beliefs and practices. Also, from the study different patterns of body marking among the Migili-koro were identified.
Keywords: Body marking, indigenous based knowledge, Migili-koro of Nasarawa