Stigma: Marking Skin in the Early Modern World

Stigma explores the diverse skin-marking practices of Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas in the early modern world, highlighting how they were interwoven and used to affirm traditional roles and beliefs, as well as meet new economic and political demands.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 294 pages
Publication date: 09 January 2024
Publisher: Pennsylvania State University Press

The early modern period marked a significant shift in the history of dermal marking, fueled by the intensification of global travel and trade, particularly the slave trade. This period brought diverse skin-marking practices into unprecedented contact, leading to the emergence of new cultural expressions and practices. Stigma: Skin Cultures and Marking Methods in the Early Modern World delves into the intricate tapestry of skin cultures and marking methods across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. By examining the interconnected histories of tattooing, branding, stigmata, baptismal and beauty marks, wounds and scars, this volume reveals that early modern markers of skin and their readers did not perceive these various types of cutaneous signs as distinct from one another. Instead, Europeans used references to Christian pilgrims' tattoos in Jerusalem or Bethlehem to describe Indigenous tattooing practices in North America, Thailand, and the Philippines. Theologians even attributed the devils mark on witches to an inversion of holy marks, such as baptism or divine stigmata.

Stigma explores how early modern individuals employed permanent marks on their skin to reinforce traditional roles and beliefs, while also adapting and transforming skin marking to meet new economic and political demands. The contributors to this volume, comprising esteemed scholars and experts, offer valuable insights into the complexities of early modern skin marking practices.

In conclusion, Stigma: Skin Cultures and Marking Methods in the Early Modern World is a groundbreaking work that sheds light on the rich and diverse history of dermal marking. By examining the interplay between skin cultures, marking methods, and religious and political ideologies, this volume provides a comprehensive understanding of the ways in which early modern people used skin as a medium for self-expression, identity, and social distinction.

Weight: 726g
Dimension: 178 x 254 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780271094434