AFRICAN TRIBES AND BODY-PAINTING

I always found African art very beautiful and colorful. What I like the most is their body art. Body painting was and still is a common practice in Africa. Several tribes use body-painting for different reasons : identity, rituals, beauty, ceremony, defense ( to create an intimidating look against their enemy ), protection, sun protection ( clay ), insecticide. I particularly admire  Omo Valley tribes ( which include Mursi tribe, a very fascinating culture in terms of art ) and Kau tribe, which dedicate a considerable amount of time everyday to the body painting practice.

 

“Body painting, as practiced here in East Africa, the cradle of humanity, seems to me to represent a way of life that dates from prehistory and once enabled humankind to overcome the hostility of nature. Art was then a means of survival.” Hans Silvester.

 

I found African art very inspiring for this project.