The documentary “Ema/Udeh: The Ancient Tattoo Healer of the Esan People” directed by Samuel Osaze is a captivating work that sheds light on the cultural and historical heritage of the Esan. Focusing on the traditional phenomenon of body marking, the film strives to portray this ancient practice without bias, while interviewing practitioners and individuals from diverse backgrounds.
With contributions from renowned university professors and orthodox medical experts, the documentary invites a debate on traditional practice versus modern medical methods. This is intended to stimulate constructive discussions for improvement and synergy in the field of healthcare.
The film features eminent academics such as Professor of Dance Studies and Performance Aesthetics, Mariam Asabe Iyeh, Professor of Philosophy Matthew A. Izibili, as well as Doctors Aloja Airewele and Abel Toms-Oriakhi. The traditional tattoo artists featured in the documentary are women who practice primarily for the purpose of saving lives rather than making a profit.
According to Samuel Osaze, the film’s director, “Ema/Udeh not only heals, she also leaves carefully crafted artistic imprints for the wearer and the audience to admire, making the audience a living tableau of the tattoo artist. In this way, Ema/Udeh artists manage to combine the functions of healer and artist in one individual, merging medicine and art in an exemplary manner.”
In the documentary, the concept of Ema/Udeh is explored in four crucial dimensions: aesthetic, therapeutic, identity, and spiritual. These four essential functions distinguish Ema/Udeh from the known universal use of scarification. Osaze even suggests that the practice could evolve beyond its traditional framework to be publicly exhibited as a work of art.
In conclusion, “Ema/Udeh: The Ancient Tattoo Healer of the Esan People” offers a profound reflection on tradition, medicine, art, spirituality and identity. This captivating documentary opens the way to new perspectives on this age-old practice and raises essential questions about its future and its integration into global health standards.