Obasanjo made the assertion while featuring as a guest on the latest episode of the interview podcast show, ‘Curiosity Made Me Ask’.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has claimed that only the rich Yorubas could afford traditional tribal marks in the olden days, saying those who could not get the marks were considered poor.
He made this known while appearing as a guest on the latest episode of the popular online comedy and interview podcast show ‘Curiosity Made Me Ask‘, hosted by Nigerian content creator Ridwan Abidemi Adebayo, better known as Isbae U.
According to Obasanjo, traditional tribal marks were once used as a means of identification, especially during the slave trade era.
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The Ogun State-born politician added that the markings made it possible for people to recognise members of their own communities, even after they had been separated from their homes.
Speaking during the interview, Obasanjo said: “Tribal marks in those old days were used so that people, even when they were sold into slavery, could identify their own people. That is the purpose of tribal marks.
“If you are a Yoruba man and you don’t have tribal mark, you must be very poor, because you no get money to make mark.”
