In this article I describe in its first part some traditional body modification practices in the former Spanish colony of Equatorial Guinea. The main goal of the article is to present data about the current social relevance and peception of these practices. While some of these practices have already vanished, as for instance the old Fang Tattoos or the Bubi facial scarifications, other traditions such as the Annobonese scarifications, which today are an important identity sign, are still very usual. In the second part of the article I frame the in the first part presented data within the cultural anthropological approach of the social presentation of the body. This article is based on field work which I am carrying out since the year 2006 in this African country.

Peer reviewed