Scarification
Cutting or branding patterns into the skin so they heal as raised or lasting scars.
Also: cicatrisation, tribal marks
Scarification makes permanent patterns by cutting the skin and controlling how it heals. On the face it has been practised in many parts of Africa: the Yoruba of Nigeria used cheek marks, called ila, that showed lineage or town; the Igbo had ichi marks for titled men. It has also been practised in Papua New Guinea and Aboriginal Australia. Facial marking has declined sharply, and some governments have restricted it on children.