Portrtait of Holi tribesmen during a moment of relax in their hut (Benin). The Holi people belong to a subgroup of the Yoruba ethnic community. They live in southeastern Benin and have a population of about 100,000. One of the most notable aspects of Holi culture is their body art, which includes tattoos and scarifications. Women traditionally decorated their bellies with tattoos, believed to offer protection during pregnancy. These body modifications also played an important role in their history. During the time of the slave trade, Europeans often considered individuals without scarifications as unmarked and therefore desirable. The Holi's distinct scarifications helped protect them from being captured. The Holi build their homes from bamboo, often designed with a characteristic square layout.