ACCESSORIES
Africa is a continent rich in different cultures, traditions, languages and perceptions of beauty. With many different tribes across the continent, beauty trends and ideals vary. Tribal make-up plays a key role in many of the various groups. The make-up, often in the form of face paint, is used for many different reasons and can signify many different things such as hunting, religious and traditional reasons, military purposes or to scare an enemy. It also functions as social markers, distinguishing boys from men, men from older men, men from women and members of the tribe from outsiders. Face painting indicates status and they convey a strong cultural meaning.
AFRICAN KINGDOM
ACCESSORIES
The very essence of body art is life-affirming, transforming, spontaneous, and a signature of being alive It can be used for decoration, but also it can display to others an imprinted message emerging from various patterns and designs on one’s body. This message can convey one’s availability, status, and position within society or one’s tribe. Oil, clay, chalk, and plant products are the typical form of media used to create the various colors and textures needed. The body painting honors the human form in seeing it as a blank canvas to prepare it for various stages in life, like during courtship rituals. The body art is also used to introduce one’s self into the world as an adult and the transition of empowerment. It shows the progression of becoming an able member of the tribe who the community depends on to survive.
SWETA KUMARI