LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Veteran Nigerian actor Olaiya Igwe has shared his changing views about tribal marks, revealing that he once admired them as a child before later growing to dislike the cultural practice.
The actor revealed that he once regretted asking for tribal marks.
Speaking about culture and identity in a recent interview, the actor explained that he grew up fascinated by tribal marks because he believed they looked attractive and made people appear “sharp.”
Olaiya disclosed that he was raised in a polygamous family where his father had six wives, although only five had children.
He explained that their family tradition required only the first child from each wife to receive tribal marks.
However, he insisted on getting one himself because of how much he admired the marks at the time.
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“In my family, my dad had six wives but only five gave birth and my mom was the second to the last. Traditionally, only the first born from each wife was mandated to have tribal marks, but because I was very sharp, I requested for it,” he said.
The actor admitted that his feelings later changed after he became older and understood more about the cultural practice.
“But when I eventually understood the meaning of tribal marks, I started to dislike it. I realised it wasn’t really our culture; it was lack of exposure,” Olaiya added.
He also questioned the relevance of tribal marks in modern society, noting that technological advancement and DNA testing have changed how families confirm identity and lineage.
“Does it stand as DNA? No. These days, DNA can expose who truly belongs to a family. Somebody might give all the children tribal marks thinking they are from the same lineage, only to later discover otherwise,” the actor explained.
Interestingly, the actor said his opinion softened again after seeing the tribal marks of late filmmaker Ade Love and veteran actor Sunday Omobolanle.
“It was when I saw the late Ade Love and Sunday Omobolanle’s tribal marks that I started liking it again,” he stated.
