Before Colonialism, Hausa Barbers Already Performed 4 Major Surgical Procedures
> Before colonialism, Hausa barbers already performed had 4 major surgical procedures: cupping, uvulectomy, circumcision, and tattooing. Cupping (kaho) involves removal of poisonous blood. The body is treated and the air is sucked out, creating a partial vacuum inside. The top of the horn is then capped with a small piece of tendon, slipped into place by the barber's tongue as he draws out the air. The horn remains on the skin until it raises a welt, then it is removed. The welt is then washed with water and a series of cuts are made with the razor within the circle outlined by the horn - usually 3 rows of 5 vertical cuts each. There is no significance to the pattern of the cuts. ⠀ ⠀ The horn is then replaced over the welt, the air is removed, and the horn is again capped with a piece of tendon and allowed to set. Blood is gradually drawn out of the shallow cuts made by the barber and coagulates inside the horn. Overtime, the barber will repeatedly remove the horn, shake out the dark, thickened blood into a gourd filled with sand, and reapply suction to the horn. The dark blood is seen as bad blood that caused the swelling or the patient's lassitude and feeling of listlessness. ⠀ 1 or 2 table-spoons of congealed blood is obtained from each cupping horn in the course of this procedure. Many people in Hausa villages woman bear the telltale series of small lines of scars somewhere where he or she has been cupped. ⠀ ⠀ An alternative, but less common method involves the use of a small, round gourd instead of a cow's horn. A hole is cut in the side of a dried gourd and a piece of cotton is placed inside. The cotton is then set alight and the gourd is placed over the area to be cupped. The flame inside the gourd uses up the oxygen, creating a partial vacuum suficient to provide suction. CREDIT:
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