Why Olaiya Igwe Once Hated His Tribal Mark

Nollywood veteran Olaiya Igwe admits he once regretted getting tribal marks even though he begged for them as a child. He grew up in a polygamous home where tradition required only firstborn children from each wife to bear the marks. Olaiya says he requested a mark because he thought it looked “sharp,” but later realised it wasn’t really part of his culture. He sees it now as a product of limited exposure rather than heritage. Reflecting on modern times, he notes that DNA testing has largely replaced the need for tribal marks as proof of lineage. Yet he found renewed appreciation after seeing the distinctive marks of fellow actors like the late Ade Love and Sunday Omobolanle.

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