A new documentary Ema/Udeh: Ancient Healing Tattoo of th e Esan People, explores the ancient traditional, healing scarification practice of Esan people of Benin Kingdom.
According to the producer, and director, Samuel Osaze, beyond the other universal usefulness of scarification, the Esan’s Ema/Udeh converges aesthetics, therapeutics, spirituality and identity signification. Moreover, the ancient tattoo artistes embody the dual functionalities of a healer and an artist – a medical practitioner whose motivation is the well-being of the people.
“This is the point of convergence between art and medicine, exemplified by the Ema/Udeh artistes of Esanland.”
Thus, the film attempts to depict the ancient practice without bias or prejudice by speaking with four female Ema/Udeh practitioners – Justina Okoh, Martha Wilson, Anthonia Imhanlu, as well as reputable academic and medical experts, like Professor of Dance Studies and Performance Aesthetics, Mariam Asabe Iyeh, Professor of Philosophy, Matthew A. Izibili, Dr Aloja Airewele, and Dr Abel Oriakhi.
It also asks questions such as, Are there grounds for comparison between the modern tattoo and the ancient Esan body marking? How is Ema/Udeh carried out? What could be responsible for its continuing popularity, or what does the Ema/Udeh offer that modern medical methods lack over curing the same ailment (Splenomegaly – an enlarged spleen, a symptom of an underlying disease)? How genuine is the claim that Splenomegaly cannot be cured by orthodox medical methods? Is splenomegaly endemic to Esan/Edo people, and if not, how do people of other ethnic groups treat the ailment? How could the ancient practice be improved and aligned with global standard health practices?
“Ema/Udeh does not only cure: a truth it has proved in the midst of many doubts. It also leaves carefully curated artistic footprints behind for the admiration of the bearer and the public, making the bearer a mobile canvas of the tattoo artist.”
Produced by Osaze, with Terh Agbedeh as Director of Photography, and Otatane-Oso Andrew as film editor, Ema/Udeh will be available for screening worldwide on YouTube in a future date.
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