Scarification or body painting was more prevalent than tattooing among the peoples of these island group. Scarification is a process whereby wounds are made in the skin such that designs are created by the resulting scar tissue. While men had very few tattoos or were only decorated with scars and burn wounds, tattooing was obligatory for women. Without these traditional adornments it was very difficult for a girl to find a husband and the family would not be paid a bride price.